This Q&A is part of a new story series—Voices of Drake—that highlights the diversity, ambition, and passion of the incredible people that make up our campus community. This first story in the series is designed to celebrate and shine light on Latinx Heritage Month, Sept. 15–Oct. 15, and spotlight Angelica Reyes, president of La Fuerza Latina.

Tell us about yourself.
I am a senior at Drake double majoring in international relations and digital media productions. I’m also a first-generation college student. I grew up in the Des Moines area. I enjoy traveling a lot, bike riding, photography, hiking, and sometimes cooking.

What is La Fuerza Latina, and how did you get involved?
La Fuerza Latina is a Latinx organization created to provide community and a safe space for Latinx students on Drake’s campus. I became involved with LFL my sophomore year. I found it to be the one group on campus that made me feel welcome and at home.

What has La Fuerza Latina meant to you during your time at Drake? 
LFL has meant a lot to me these past few years because as an individual, this organization has helped me to learn more about myself and embrace my Latinx roots. The organization has also provided me with so many opportunities that have connected me with people from all over the U.S. Overall, LFL has become a big part of my college experience.

What does a robust and active La Fuerza Latina mean to the Drake community?
A robust and active LFL means several things. For one, having a multicultural organization like LFL within the campus community means having a place at the table. In other words, we are recognized, seen, and heard. Not only that, but we are showing and providing individuals with spaces in which they can see themselves and thrive in.

How, if at all, does your role as president of LFL connect with your studies at Drake or your future career plans?
Being president of LFL isn’t the easiest task, but the connections I make and the people I meet are what makes it worth it. I’ve learned many leadership skills and have developed strong connections with local and national organizations. Having had these kinds of opportunities has helped me to see where I want to be in my career. I enjoy meeting people who are working to make a difference in their community, and it’s so cool to learn their stories and why they do what they do.

What are you excited about for the future of La Fuerza Latina or the Drake community more broadly?

I am excited to see the organization grow. These past few years we’ve really worked to build a solid foundation for LFL and I feel like our Latinx community is slowly but steadily growing on Drake’s campus. During my term as president, we’ve worked to create several partnerships with businesses, organizations, and schools as way of supporting our own community. I hope that LFL continues to work and empower our younger people to pursue higher education.

Who have been some of your important mentors during your time at Drake?
One person that comes to mind is Kenia Calderon, an LFL and Drake alumna. I remember meeting her when I visited Drake for a college fair event. At the time, I was a senior in high school and unsure of whether I wanted to go to college. During the fair, I had the opportunity to sit down with her and learn more about Drake and LFL. Since then, she’s played a major role in my life as a role model and friend. The biggest lessons Kenia has taught me is to never give up and believe in something worth fighting for.

What would you like the broader Drake community to know about LFL?
I would like the broader community to know that LFL is more than a student organization. We have an array of talented students who are always working to help their Latinx community.

This year is a year like no other. What advice would you like to give to a first-year student at Drake?
As a first-gen college student, I would tell first-year students that it’s okay to be unsure of where you are now. You may have a lot of people counting on you to be the first to break barriers but understand that mistakes will be made, and that’s okay. Trust me, we weren’t built to be perfect, but we were never taught to give up. You’ve made it this far, and that’s something to celebrate. You’re conquering systems that were never created equal. Just remember you are capable, don’t let others convince you otherwise.