At a VOICE ensemble concert benefiting SLI, SLI alum Miguel shared the following about his experiences:
It’s an honor to stand before you tonight and share my story as a Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) scholar. Looking back on my college journey, I feel an immense sense of gratitude for the support and guidance that SLI has provided. SLI hasn’t just shaped my academic pursuits; it has shaped the core of who I am today.
As a first-generation, low-income student…, my path to college was filled with both challenges and hope. I grew up watching the resilience of my parents, who left behind everything they knew in Cuba and El Salvador to build a better life for their family. Their sacrifices, their unwavering spirit in the face of hardship—these are the gifts they passed on to me, and I carry their strength with me every day.
When I entered [university], I did so determined to honor those sacrifices. Double majoring in Public Policy and Leadership and Foreign Affairs, and, of course, minoring in Astronomy—my first childhood passion—I knew this opportunity wasn’t just mine. It belonged to my family and my community, to everyone who believed in me.
My college experience has been a patchwork of growth, resilience, and opportunity. It has taught me the beauty of giving back and the necessity of rising through adversity. [Leadership opportunities] allowed me to foster the same connections and community support that SLI gave to me. At the same time, I faced hardships that tested me in ways I never anticipated—like managing familial loss and the weight of personal struggles.
One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was how to ask for help. But the lessons SLI taught me were there. The mentors and workshops they led, taught me resilience is not about enduring alone; it’s about leaning on others, growing through their wisdom, and finding the strength to persevere.
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned from SLI is the power of my favorite word: voice. Through its programming, SLI showed me the transformative impact of using my voice—not only to advocate for myself, but to uplift others. Whether I’m speaking up for equitable policies, sharing my story to inspire first-generation students, or navigating the academic world, my voice has become my greatest tool for change.
Beyond academics, SLI taught me to lead and serve with intention…, giving back in the very way SLI invested in me.
As I prepare to graduate this May, I’m filled with hope for what’s ahead. My ultimate dream is to become an immigration attorney based out of South Florida, using my experiences and education to make a tangible impact on immigrant communities. Before law school, I plan to either pursue a Master’s in Higher Education Administration or Business in Virginia to deepen my leadership skills, or move directly to South Florida to work as a Human Rights Investigator or paralegal. No matter the path, my mission remains the same: to advocate for marginalized communities and drive systemic change.
To the donors who make SLI possible: gracias de mi corazón. Your generosity has transformed my life and the lives of so many others. Because of you, I’ve been able to pursue my dreams, grow as a leader, and build a future filled with purpose. Your support empowers us to break barriers, to dream bigger, and to pave the way for those who come after us. For that, I am eternally grateful.
Thank you for believing in me, for supporting students like me, and for helping us create brighter futures.