Featured stories!

Alex grew up in Garden City and faced several challenges before enrolling at the University of Kansas to study political science. Now, Alex uses his Masters in Public Administration to encourage young adults to puruse a college education.

Hugo is passionate about storytelling, especially via film. In his oral history, he mentions his high school Spanish teachers who were great role models for embracing his Latine identity. Hugo also speaks about an essay he wrote for a college class reflecting on his eventual self-acceptance of his Latine identity.

Fernanda went to school in Wichita, KS and did not have the best experience at her Catholic high school. However, she eventually found comfort in her strong identity as a Mexican student. A few years later, Fernanda chose to come to the University of Kansas thinking that it would be as diverse as advertised in pamphlets and promotional material. 

Martha came to the U.S. as a girl and later grew up as an ambitious and driven student. In her oral history, Martha thanks her excellent teachers and support from various programs for helping her become a caring high school principal at Dodge City High School.

Diego grew up in Lawrence, KS as the son of a chemistry professor and a chemistry researcher. He recounts experiences of feeling left out and unseen as a Latine male in a largely white city. Diego reflects on how the lack of Latine role models has influenced his own sense of identity--especially as is completing the last years of his theatre degree at the University of Kansas.

Valentina grew up with teachers doubting her intellectual abilities as well as her desired profession (physician). Reflecting on misogyny and harrasment as a young adult growing up in Lawrence, KS, Valentina shares how her intersectional identity as a Latine woman and daughter of two highly educated Latine STEM professionals has come to shape who she is today.

Ana is from Ecuador but came to the U.S. to go to college at the University of Kansas. She compares the relatively corrupt and lower quality education system in Ecuador and the fair and higher quality education she has recieved at KU. Ana mostly speaks about how grateful she is for all of the opportunities in the U.S., especially at KU.

*Oral history is in Spanish

Agustina has lived in Paraguay and Uruguay before coming to study at the University of Kansas. In her oral history, Agustina speaks about the countless opportunities at KU as well as the preconceptions that some people have had about her coming from Paraguay.

*Oral history is in Spanish

Aileen is a third-generation Mexican American. She attended the University of Kansas to study political science. In her oral history, she reflects on Spanish as a heritage language as well as some generational differences in parenting.

Abel is Nicaraguan and recieved his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas. He shares how proud he is of his background as well as his ability to identify and use resources during his time at KU as a McNair scholar.