Student View: Building community and finding empowerment at MSU
October 17, 2024
Abigail Rodriguez is a senior from Sunland Park, New Mexico. She is a prelaw major in arts and humanities and political science, with minors in Chicano/Latino Studies and design justice. Rodriguez is a member of the 2024 Homecoming court.
Coming to Michigan State University from out of state was daunting. I arrived without knowing the campus, the area or anyone else. Being the first person from my family to attend college and live out-of-state was nerve-wracking and scary. Growing up, I was surrounded by people who looked like me and shared the same culture, but I knew attending a predominantly white institution was going to be a new experience and environment for me.
I worried that I wouldn’t fit in, and it felt terrifying. However, during my first year, I was accepted into the Honors College IMPACT service week, which gave me the opportunity to participate in community service projects around the East Lansing and Lansing area. It was such a wonderful experience that allowed me to meet many new people and provided me a smooth transition to MSU.
Since having that experience, I have tried my best to get involved as much as possible to get to know as many people as possible. Because of that, I have created many friendships and met many mentors and professionals. It was scary at first, but once I began getting out of my comfort zone and exploring new events, I eventually felt at home here. I felt like I really did have a community here because everyone has been very welcoming. It’s been an adventure.
One of the most important programs I have participated in is the Residential College in the Art and Humanities, or RCAH, Sister Circle Mentoring Program. It was the first event I attended as an incoming student. They hosted a brunch at a professor’s home, and attending it was a memorable experience. This event is where I found a space specifically for women of color where I could connect and meet people with similar challenges.
Since then, I have grown and learned so much from this program and now serve as a mentor following one of our main pillars, intergenerational mentorship. This has been rewarding because I now get to foster the connections I have built with the rest of our new members.
For the past two years, I have also served as a representative of RCAH for the Associated Students of Michigan State University. I am happy to be working on legislation that positively impacts MSU students.
Some of my biggest supporters and mentors I greatly appreciate are the program directors of RCAH’s Sister Circle Mentoring Program: Tama Hamilton-Wray, associate professor of Africana film studies and Sitara Thobani, assistant professor in RCAH. Having them here at MSU has been very helpful for my studies and future aspirations. I go to them often with my questions, life updates and for resources. Additionally, I realized my passion for research by working alongside RCAH Associate Professor Estrella Torrez and other professors who have mentored me.
In addition to my campus involvement, I have also been nominated for several prestigious scholarships, including the Rhodes, Marshall and Beinecke scholarships. These nominations reflect my academic excellence, leadership and commitment to pave the way to achieve my future goals.
After graduation, I want to attend graduate school and pursue a doctorate in comparative literature and cultural studies with a concentration in poetry resistance by Latina women. I want to study their poetry and art, and I dream of traveling around Latin America to work with these poets directly.
As I celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, I would like to share that it is such an important time to highlight our wonderful community’s achievements and culture. For example, my favorite dishes to enjoy during this time are my mom’s enchiladas, verdes and sopita.
It always makes me so happy because it is this one time of year when we are at the forefront of the story and recognized as an inspiration to future generations. I love learning about the amazing people in our community.
MSU recognizes National Hispanic Heritage Month, and our community is coming together to strengthen resources, programs, research centers and scholarships serving Hispanic and Latinx students at MSU. Learn more at givingto.msu.edu.