Many people get excited about being the first in their family to do something. For me, being a first-generation Latino college student is something I really take to heart. I grew up with an absent father due to his deportation when I was just five years old, which meant my mom and grandma raised me and my siblings. Being on a fixed income was also something we had to grow up on. I was never able to do extracurricular events that required money because I knew that was impossible for my family.

They always pushed me to go to school, saying I didn’t want to be stuck working every day of my life without the chance to enjoy retirement. At 15, I got a job and helped my family as much as I could. I still have that same job, six years later and continue to help provide for my family. In high school, I surpassed something I thought I could never do and became part of the National Honor Society. Upon graduation, ACU reached out to me about applying. I applied and was accepted for several scholarship opportunities. One thing that has always inspired me to continue my education is my dream of becoming a news reporter. I’ve grown up wanting to be on camera and to tell stories for people who don’t have a voice.

Being a first-generation Latino college student is a big milestone. Many of us exceed expectations because we are often underestimated. But right now, it feels like we are under attack. Latinos have faced increasing racial hostility in recent years, especially during the Trump administration. At the same time, the U.S. is shifting into a majority-minority country. The White population is getting older and smaller while communities of color, especially Latinos, continue to grow. According to the U.S. Census, Latinos are the largest minority group, making up about 18 percent of the population today. By 2060, that number is expected to reach nearly 30 percent, or 111 million people.

Latinos come from different countries, races, classes, and cultures. Even so, we have often been singled out and demonized in politics and the media. Many people think Latino population growth is driven by immigration, but about two-thirds of Latinos in the U.S. are actually born here.

Here at ACU, the share of residential undergraduate Hispanic students hasn’t changed much, but the total number continues to go up. In Fall 2025, there were 623 Hispanic students, the third highest ever after Fall 2019 (639) and Fall 2017 (627). That’s 18.7% of the residential undergraduate student body. Although the number is fluctuating, I hope it doubles within a couple of years.

I’ve also experienced setbacks. Specifically at ACU, when working with other students, I sometimes feel like the outlier in the group. When I share an idea or make a point, I often feel ignored or unappreciated. I’ve also noticed moments when speaking Spanish around other students and received dirty looks. In those moments, I think to myself, “learn the language and you would understand what we’re talking about.” Over time, I’ve grown accustomed to situations where my presence doesn’t always feel welcome. Still, some things help me move past those experiences.

One helpful resource has been the ACU Hispanic Student Association (HSA). They recently rebranded to emphasize unity and inclusivity, creating stronger connections among students from diverse Latin backgrounds, including American Latinos across campus. I have appreciated what they have done here on campus. They are always trying to get the community involved and students like myself. Ana Lara, president of HSA, is a very welcoming person and always ready to hear my concerns. I would also say that many of my current professors, especially in my department, hear my concerns and are always there for me. One thing I have learned is: Do not care what other people think about you.

Overall, sometimes I feel like I’m seen differently, and the education system seems built for the majority, not the minority. But I’ve had opportunities that let me speak up, and scholarships and grants for first-generation Latino students have helped me chase my dreams and find my voice. 

I may be the first Latino college student in my family, and I hope I won’t be the last, even in a time when Latinos face so many challenges.