Alumni Stories
Monthly stories from U Alumni
Thaiss Del Rio BS'22 was recently inducted into the newest class of the Beehive Honor Society and worked as an academic advisor for the Dream Center at the U.
New estimates, drawn from the 2019 American Community Survey, indicate that undocumented students (with or without DACA) account for approximately two percent of all students enrolled in higher education in the United States. Navigating the system of higher education as a first-generation Latina and DACA recipient has not been met without its challenges. My family and I immigrated to Utah from Lima, Peru nearly two decades ago to escape the economic and political upheaval burdening our country. I spent my early years flying kites at Sugar House Park, going rollerblading at Hollywood Connections with my father, and reading Junie B. Jones’ books. I grew up here, Utah is my home and all I have ever known. Growing up and having to “hide” my immigration status turned out to be a lonely experience, that is until I was admitted to the University of Utah in the fall of 2017. During a time when uncertainty remained rampant in my life, the University of Utah remained a constant and fostered a place of belonging where I discovered my passion for policy, advocacy, and fighting for access to higher education for underserved communities.
I will be graduating this semester with my bachelor’s degree in sociology and political science with a minor in ethnic studies, something that didn’t simply seem possible five years ago. I never felt like I belonged because of my immigration status, but the University of Utah introduced me to several students, faculty, and alumni with similar stories and experiences as myself. I saw myself in many of these individuals and it gave me the courage to keep going despite the obvious systemic challenges hindering my chances of attending college. During my time at the U I have had the opportunity to get involved with numerous offices. The most rewarding experience, however, has been working at the University of Utah Dream Center, a center dedicated to supporting undocumented students and mixed-status families. It has truly been a full-circle moment for me, as I have been able to support, guide, and advocate for undocumented students whose goal is to pursue higher education, as it once was for me. Undocumented students contribute immensely to campuses and communities across the country. Their pursuit of higher education is vital to the future of our country.
Upon graduation, I plan to continue my work in the public policy and non-profit arenas to continue advocating for humane policies that uplift historically underrepresented communities in the United States. It is through a social justice lens that I believe we can craft positive and transformative policies that can benefit both present and future generations. The dreams that I once had as an 18-year-old continue to become reality because of the inconceivable number of opportunities that this institution and the people in it have provided for me.
As I reflect on these last five years, I am reminded of a quote from activist, academic, and scholar Angela Davis which says: “You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” To the class of 2022, never underestimate yourselves; what we do makes a difference. We have the resources, we have the knowledge, and we have our voice, one of the most powerful instruments for enacting change. We have been given the tools needed to transform our world for the better. I look forward to creating this change with you.
I’d like to thank the Office of Alumni Relations and the University of Utah for this recognition, I am honored to have been selected to be part of the Beehive Honor Society and I am excited be part of the U Alumni family soon. Lastly, I would like to thank my family. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn’t for their continuous love and support. I am forever thankful to the University of Utah for providing a safe space where I can be my most authentic self and advocate for what I am most passionate about. Out of the many lessons the U has given me, the most important continues to be this: I am much more than my immigration status; above all, I am an activist, a researcher, a mentor, and a leader first. Despite the uncertainty that remains in my life, my time at the University of Utah has taught me that in the face of uncertainty, lies love, community, and hope.
This story was adapted from Thaiss' student speaker speech at the 2022 Spring Awards Luncheon. Let us know if you’re interested in being featured as an alumni story!