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CLS students awarded Aguila Awards

April 9, 2025

This article was originally published by Institutional Diversity and Inclusion here: https://inclusion.msu.edu/awards/chavez-huerta-celebration/chavez-comm-leadership-awards/index.html

The César E. Chávez and Dolores Huerta Community Leadership Awards honors the lives and legacies of these notable civil rights and social justice leaders by recognizing people from Michigan State University that demonstrate cultural commitment to diversity, teamwork, collaboration, and leadership on MSU's campus.

Winners of these awards were recognized during the annual celebration of César Chávez and Dolores Huerta program coordinated by the MSU Commemorative Planning Committee.

A group photo of representatives from the Moviemiento Cosecha organization pose in front of an event backdrop.

MSU Student (Aguila Award)

This award is presented to an individual who has shown courage, dedication, and a commitment to make MSU a better place who also exudes a spirit of inclusiveness, equality, and cultural commitment to diversity. Demonstrated leadership and impact through formal or informal roles within the University, and/or community. Academic excellence through research, honors, continuing education, certifications, presentations, publications, and/or participation in professional organizations.

2025 Award Recipients

Karissa Zarate poses for a photo with her award.Karissa Zarate (Aguila Award)
Karissa Zarate is a CAMP Scholar majoring in Spanish and minoring in Chicano/Latino Studies. She proudly represents her migrant farm-working family from Pharr, Texas. She works to uplift the Latinx community by creating spaces for connection, advocacy, and empowerment. Karissa served as the chair for the 29thAnnual Día de la Mujer Conference, leading one of MSU’s largest events honoring and empowering Latinas. She also serves as an undergraduate teaching assistant at the Spanish Writing Center, supporting students with Spanish language acquisition and academic proficiency. Additionally, she is a founding member of La Casa Living-Learning Community, a residential program for Spanish language learners. With a deep passion for language and education, Karissa aspires to become a Spanish professor using her experiences to support and inspire future generations of Migrant and Latinx students.


Sofia Mireles-Gonzalez poses for a photo with her award.Sofia Mireles-Gonzalez (Aguila Award)
Sofia Mireles-Gonzalez is a first-generation student and graduating senior majoring in Journalism with a minor in Chicano/Latino Studies. Growing up along the U.S.-Mexico border, she discovered her interest in immigration and bilingual reporting and has dedicated her time at MSU to covering stories that impact the Latino community. In 2024, Sofia became an alumna of the Latino Reporter with the NAHJ where she published her first Spanish-language article examining the spread of misinformation among Latinx communities during the 2024 Presidential Election. Beyond journalism, Sofia has been an active leader in the Latino community at MSU, serving as a CAMP Ambassador, a site leader for the IEM Study Abroad Program, a CCDH Planning Committee member, an active member of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated, and as the current chair for the 30th Annual Día de la Mujer Conference.