Pronouns
He/Him
What three words would you use to describe Lewis & Clark?
Community, Curiosity, Determination
Tell us about your heritage. How has this shaped your educational and/or career journey?
My father was born in Mexico and immigrated here when he was 8 years old with his family as part of the Bracero Program to pick onions and radishes in the fields of Southern California. My maternal grandmother was also a Mexican immigrant, but moved to Southern California to attend University. My mother had lived her whole life in the United States until recently as she moved to Mexico to spend time with my 94 year old grandmother. Growing up in Southern California, I was not unique. I was part of a large community, rich with Latin, Mexican, and Chicano pride. Hearing Spanish spoken all around me was normal, and the nuances of my culture were comfortable, familiar, and home. I am the first of my very big Mexican family to go to a four-year college (Lewis & Clark), and will soon be the 3rd in my family to receive a Master’s Degree after my two older siblings. My heritage reminds me every day why it is important to remember where we come from and think more deeply about where we’re going. Majoring in History has been a way of connecting with my and other cultures across time. I hope to continue this connection as I progress through my education and my career.
Where do you find some of your most significant influences from your heritage, such as role models or inspirations (these could be from your past and/or current)?
Music, stories, and food. When I am not at work or at school, I am in the kitchen making enchiladas or tacos or salsitas while blasting Selena or Vicente (descanse en paz) or Bad Bunny. My dream, however, is to be able to make novelas compiling the stories of my immigrant grandparents and parents to share with others who may connect with similar family stories or who may want to know more about these experiences.
Where do you like to go in Portland to feel culturally at home?
Home. The best Mexican restaurant is my home. I, along with my partner, both enjoy cooking very much and our kitchen is always fragrant with spices and soon, due to the changing of the weather, sopas, caldos, y moles. Portland is a very white community and I have found it to be a bit difficult to be Hispanic here. Just the other day I was congratulated for being “white-passing.” For this, I have no words except that the erasure of others and their identities for the sake of a “white default” can be dangerous and harmful.
Describe your job. What do you like best about your work?
At L&C, my team and I take care of the Audio/Visual equipment in the classrooms and large venues on the CAS campus. My favorite part of my job is teaching students and helping people. Technology can be very stressful at times and I like being able to show folks how to feel more confident and at ease with technology.
What brought you to L&C?
I went to school here (Class of ’18) and majored in Classical Studies with a Music minor. I needed to work while going to school here and always had at least two jobs. One of my jobs was an on-campus Audio/Visual Student Tech position with the Events Department. From there, I’ve worked at a few schools in the area including with the David Douglas School District, Portland State University, and the National University of Natural Medicine helping with teaching or technology. In Fall 2022, I got the opportunity to return to LC as a staff member which has made it possible for me to continue my education with a Master’s in History from PSU.
What’s your favorite spot on campus?
Any spot with a piano. I don’t have a piano at home and if I have some extra time, I like to take a walk to Evans and play piano in the practice rooms. Eventually, I’m hoping to have some more time to get back into composing once my MA program concludes.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Portland?
A big part of L&C culture is wanting to explore and travel; that’s one of the reasons I moved here in the first place. I never thought when I came here for undergrad that I would stay past graduation. However, I have built connections and friendships across the city that have helped me get to where I am now. I started a Master’s program and made many friends who enjoy history, karaoke, and trivia nights as much as I do. I met my fiancé whom I adore and plan to spend the rest of my life with. I have also been able to explore my own gender identity and can honestly say one of the reasons I have stayed so long is because of how safe I feel in Portland and at Lewis & Clark. Having seen and experienced alternative work and living environments in other cities or at other jobs, I have found that here I am supported and feel comfortable enough to advocate for myself.
I don’t expect my partner and I will stay in Portland forever and honestly I hope we don’t. There is so much of the world we want to explore and so many opportunities we want to be part of. But for now, this is home.