Sofia Mireles-Gonzalez is a first-generation student majoring in journalism from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences and a minor in Chicano/Latino Studies, graduating in spring 2025.
For four years, Michigan State University was the place that saw me break down and find my strength again, all in pursuit of my dream to become the first in my family to earn a college degree.
I am originally from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, a border community along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Being away from home was never easy; I was raised in a family-oriented environment, where we leaned on each other for everything. Home-cooked meals solved my bad days, and family reunions were always filled with laughter. When I left for college, I left behind not only my family but also the comforts of listening to regional Mexican music while enjoying carnes asadas, playing lotería — a traditional board game — with my loved ones, speaking my native language every single day and more.
It was a sacrifice, but one that I made with the hopes of opening new doors not just for myself, but also for my family, my community and future generations.
Attending a predominantly white institution as a first-generation Latina student came with challenges I wasn’t prepared for. There were a lot of times when I questioned if I really belonged, if my accent was too strong to be understood, if my background was too different to be accepted or if my story even mattered in spaces where a few people looked or spoke like me.
MSU gave me the opportunity to discover a version of myself that I never expected to become. It was here that I discovered new strengths and interests, developed my potential and began to see the world with a different lens.
But this would not have been possible without the support of the organizations and individuals who allowed me to show up as my true self, encouraged me to take risks, lead and empowered me to pursue my goals even when the path wasn’t clear.
I started my journey at MSU as part of Ignite the Future, followed by MAGIC, both summer bridge programs that connected me with essential on-campus resources since the start of my journey at Michigan State.
As I settled into campus life, I became involved with Latino organizations and took part in initiatives that truly shaped my success and helped me find my purpose at MSU.
I served on the planning committee for the César Chávez and Dolores Huerta Commemorative Celebration, worked for WKAR’s “¿Qué Onda Michigan?” podcast, became a mentor through the Latino Mentorship Program, attended two National Association of Hispanic Journalists Conferences, led the 30th Annual Día de la Mujer Conference as the chair, became a sister of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc., and traveled abroad to Mexico and Spain.
As a College Assistance Migrant Program scholar, I proudly carried with me the resilience of my community throughout my time here, and I leave MSU with a heart full of gratitude for all the lessons learned.
I hope that through my story, others feel represented and encouraged to take risks — to believe that they, too, belong in spaces that weren’t always built for us. Earning my degree is more than a personal achievement; it’s the result of years of sacrifice, dedication and unwavering faith. It represents every tear, every late night and every step taken not just for me, but also for my family, my community and every first-generation student dreaming of creating a better future for themselves.
