My first home under the Dome was not Cavanaugh Hall but rather 315 Bond Hall. The Institute for Latino Studies, and more notably their Latino Studies Scholar Program, served as my first point of connection and my first home on campus. Through the Institute for Latino Studies, I gained lifelong friends, opportunities to explore, and career development opportunities.
My Latino Studies coursework deepened my understanding of what it means to be a Latina and allowed me to not only understand my history but also how to continue making an impact in my community. I completed the Cross Cultural Leadership Program during my Freshman year summer working with the Sonoma County Office of Equity. In my Sophomore year, with the assistance of the Cross Cultural Leadership Program, I interned in the office of Congressman Joaquin Castro; working on legislation for immigration reform and deepening my resolve to become an immigration attorney. In my Junior year I studied abroad in Chile and ILS provided me with funding to go to Machu Picchu, expanding my worldview. Senior year, ILS sent me to a conference on Latinos in business called L'ATTITUDE where I honed my networking skills. This is a small list of things ILS has given me during my formative years at Notre Dame.
My Senior thesis under Professor Luis Fraga focuses on our research, conducted since my freshman year, regarding the 1975 iteration of the Voting Rights Act and its power in expanding Latino voting rights. Professor Fraga has been my mentor for the past four years and I would not be where I am today without his constant advice and guidance. To him, I am forever grateful. After graduation, I plan on taking a gap year before attending law school to become an immigration attorney. While this chapter closes at Notre Dame, I will always hold a special place for ILS in my heart for making me the proud Latina I am today.
I am not alone in my story. The Latino Studies Scholars Program and the Institute for Latino Studies more broadly have impacted my fellow cohort members as well.
Paola Ortiz:
I am grateful to the Institute for Latino Studies for allowing me to explore my career interests throughout my undergraduate career and for their continued support throughout my time at Notre Dame. ILS is extremely important to me, and I am grateful for the lessons it has taught me. These lessons have truly allowed me to understand and become a transformative leader in the Latino community.
LSSP has also been a critical element throughout my four years here. My cohort and beyond have been incredibly supportive throughout my development. From the valuable career and adulting advice from older LSSP mentors to mentoring younger cohorts, I am grateful for the LSSP familia we have fostered.
It is hard to believe my four years at ND are coming to a close. I am torn at the fact that I will be leaving ILS, but I will always stay connected!
Upon graduation, I will move to Washington, D.C., to work in public opinion polling and democratic political consulting. I am thrilled at the opportunity to continue researching public opinion and enable candidates to mobilize Latino voters.
Sylvia Garcia:
Even though I moved a thousand miles away from my home to somewhere that was unknown, Notre Dame became a second home. My first home at Notre Dame was ILS. I was able to set down my roots in a place where I knew Professor Fraga, Paloma, Mari, and the other LSSP genuinely cared for my success and well-being.
One of my proudest moments this year was when the ILS Mariachi and Folklorico Class performed their collaboration at Latin Expressions. I have been one of Paloma's teaching assistants for the Folklorico class since it was first offered in the spring of 2022 and it has been a blessing seeing it grow and watch them perform at different events: including the LSA Quinceañera. I have much to be thankful for and I can't wait to see how much ILS will grow in the future!
After graduation, I will be doing a summer tax internship with Ernst & Young. In the fall, I will be returning to Notre Dame to complete my Master of Science in Accountancy and become a CPA for Texas.
Miranda Colon:
ILS opened me up to a whole new world that I am now so grateful to be a part of. Through ILS, I received amazing opportunities to participate in summer internships online, in Chicago, and Puerto Rico. I learned of my passion for education research and Latino Studies. Most importantly, I met amazing people and advisors who contributed to an amazing college experience.
Yesenia Mendoza-Arriaga:
The Institute for Latino Studies and the Latino Studies Scholars program have helped make Notre Dame my home these past 4 years. There will never be enough words to express how thankful I am for the Institute and everyone involved, who have made sure to give me unconditional support and love. While I'm sad to be leaving, I am ready for the next step knowing that my time with ILS and LSSP has prepared me for whatever comes next.
As we wrap up our last few weeks at Notre Dame it is evident the impact that ILS and LSSP had on me and my cohort members. While we are embarking on a new phase of life we are excited to join the greater LSSP network and mentor the future generations to come.