A Vision for Change: Diana Diaz's Journey as a First-Gen LSU Student
November 06, 2024
Diana Diaz
Diana Diaz, a first-generation Mass Communication sophomore born in Jalpa, Mexico, says her journey to going to college was fueled by resilience, her Mexican heritage, and a commitment to serve.
Diaz moved to the United States at a young age. She says navigating a new educational system while learning English presented early challenges. While her parents couldn’t directly help with homework, they instilled values of hard work and perseverance.
“Growing up, there was a language barrier that made everything more difficult,” she says. “Even though my parents couldn’t proofread my essays or help with geometry problems, I owe my academic success to them.”
“Even though my parents couldn’t proofread my essays or help with geometry problems, I owe my academic success to them.”
Diana Diaz
A pivotal moment in her educational journey came when she helped her mother study for the U.S. citizenship exam.
“We learned many things together, like English grammar, U.S. state capitals, and how to complete a W-2 form,” Diaz recalls.
This experience solidified her goal to pursue immigration law, she says.
“My mother, in particular, showed me that education is the greatest privilege anyone can attain.”
Starting college presented new challenges for Diaz, who navigated tasks like college applications, FAFSA forms, and ACT prep largely on her own. Without family guidance, she spent her high school years independently preparing for college. Eventually, she saw the importance of reaching out for support.
Once she arrived to LSU, Diaz found a sense of community through involvement in on-campus clubs and by living in the Honors dorms. She says these experiences helped her feel more at home in a new environment.
“It allowed me to form friendships and discover there is a larger first-generation community at LSU, including both students and staff,” she says.
One of her proudest moments came when she competed in a national event hosted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where she worked on a project creating a card game to foster critical conversations among youth. The project earned first place and a grant to expand the initiative in Louisiana schools.
“By doing so, we can teach new generations the importance of communicating our differences and what makes us unique,” she says.
Looking ahead, Diaz hopes to pursue law school and focus on immigration law to advocate for marginalized voices.
“Louisiana is a state rich in potential and diversity, and I am passionate about uplifting the voices that often go unheard,” she says.
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