My name is Rodrigo Bezanilla Davila; I was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, and moved to Dallas, Texas, when I was 12 years old. Since I was very young, I have dreamt of becoming a doctor, and I believe that SMU will best assist me in achieving my aspirations. I am working on obtaining my undergraduate degree at SMU and then attending medical school. I am very passionate about helping my community and plan to continue to do so. I plan to major in Biology with minors in Spanish, business, and chemistry. I am deeply tied to my Latino background and customs, and intend to keep pursuing growth and diversity at SMU.
Ixchell Ibanez is a rising Junior from Frisco, Texas. She transferred to SMU in Spring of 2021 and is double majoring in Political Science and Corporate Communications and Public Affairs.
Ixchell Works for the Office of Engaged Learning as a student affiliate of video production. She is a Member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority and serves as VP of Publicity for the Multicultural Greek Council.
Ixchell is also frequently involved with the First-Generation Association on campus.
Hi, my name is Amayrani Luna and I'm currently a Senior at SMU. I grew up in South East Dallas and have always dreamed about the opportunity to be here at SMU! I'm majoring in Creative Computing and minoring in Computer Science and Graphic Design. Over my years here at SMU, I've also been involved in Program Council, Watermark College Ministry, LULAC, CHAS, and the SMU Service House!"
I earned my undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, where I double majored in Communication Studies, Africana Studies, and minored in Film. I have been a school teacher for 5 years. I am currently a high school English Second Language teacher with the aspiration of becoming a high school counselor. I am pursuing a masters degree in counseling. I am part African American and Afro-Colombiana. I love to travel, play volleyball, and learn about different cultures.
Lilibeth Ramírez is seeking a Master’s degree in Higher Education at Southern Methodist University to gain the skills necessary to become an active contributor in higher education institutions. This passion stems from her personal experience with educational inequity and her long-held determination to advocate for low-income first-generation minoritized students.
As a first-generation Latina herself, she hopes to assist marginalized students in breaking through socioeconomic, institutional, and cultural barriers that challenge their access and attainment of higher education. Lilibeth’s lifelong mission is to mentor students and ensure they have the proper resources and guidance to graduate from their desired university.
My name is Alba Salcido-Diaz, and I am a first-generation transfer student. This is my second semester at SMU, but it is my third year in college, I plan to graduate May 2023 with a bachelors in Spanish and Human Rights with a track in public policy. Some of my interests are volunteering and spending time with my family.
My name is Roxana Santillan and I'm currently a rising senior at SMU double majoring in Accounting and Economics. I was born and raised in Mexico and moved to Dallas when I was 12 years old. Thanks to this decision I was able to become the first person in my family to graduate high school and attend college.
During my time at SMU, I've had the joy to be involved with the Hispanic community on campus through a variety of positions in different organizations, some of which include: Communications director for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Public Relations Chair for College Hispanic American Students (CHAS), and Vice President for Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc., which is a multicultural sorority on campus. I also have the pleasure of holding a student worker position at the College Access Programs office here at SMU, which is a position that has allowed me to tutor and mentor high school students from low-income, DISD high schools.