For people like us: A navigation of life and college

A multimedia project by Katrina Perce

December 10 2024

Diego Hernandez De La Luz is a junior at the University, majoring in Civil Engineering and minoring in Spanish. Born and raised in Reno, Diego lives with his family while in school. In the 90s, Diego’s father moved from Mexico City to Truckee, California and his mom moved from Michoacan to Reno, Nevada, where the two later met. 

Throughout his time at the University, Diego has become a Nevada Student Ambassador and a member of the Nu Alpha Kappa fraternity, the first non-exclusive Latino fraternity on campus. However, his deeper connection to his culture remains within his home. 

Growing up in Reno, Diego was surrounded by a significant number of Hispanic students. It was not until high school that it became apparent that there were less students that shared his background, sharing the classroom. As of the 2023-2024 Demographic Profile, Washoe County enrolled a total of 26072 (40.9%) White students and 27446 (43%) Hispanic students. 

With a larger population of Hispanic students than White students, questions raise regarding the path of these students following high school. Diego explains, from his experience, that a significant number of Hispanic students go straight into the workforce following high school graduation. 

Many first generation students act as a role model for the future generations of their family. Diego explains how he is grateful for the first generation program at the University, a resource for students to gain mentorship, tutoring, and more. Diego had previously worked as a tutor in the first generation office.

Diego started at the University in Fall of 2022, when Hispanic students made up 22.8% of the total student population. Diego explains his first experience attending a PWI as accompanied with a sense of “imposter syndrome” when attending his first college classes. 

Grateful for his mentor, Andrew, for helping guide him through his first week of college, Diego reminisces on his past. He emphasizes the importance of having a mentor that is relatable and available to be a helping hand when starting out college, especially as a first-generation student.  

Speaking positively of the University moving toward the HSI designation, Diego is hopeful that the administration will implement funding and resources into areas that are most beneficial to students. He encourages administrators to seek out real feedback from Hispanic students and conduct valuable research from the community on campus.