March 2025 Student Spotlight

OMP Newsletter, March 17th, 2025

Rebecca Ortiz

Meet Rebecca Ortiz, a sophomore majoring in Spanish with a minor in Secondary Education. She is actively involved on campus as a tutor at LINC, an employee at BB’s, a member of LIVE, and an SSA. In the future, she hopes to study abroad and eventually teach at a bilingual school or in a Spanish-speaking country. While she is already engaged in various activities, she is looking for opportunities to get more involved in education-focused organizations outside of her coursework. Academically, she aims to improve her French fluency, and personally, she is committed to her mental well-being by continuing therapy and working on overcoming personal challenges.

For Rebecca, community and solidarity mean genuine connection and shared experiences. She believes that collaborative and inclusive events can help foster a stronger sense of belonging among students. She suggests that Valpo encourage greater participation in campus events to help students build relationships and feel at home. While she is still exploring the Office of Multicultural Programs, she appreciates its support for student organizations and the safe space it provides. Some of her favorite events include LIVE’s Quinceañera and La Plaza celebrations, which she found to be fun and well-planned.

Her advice to incoming freshmen is to take their time adjusting to college life and not feel pressured to get involved in everything at once. She emphasizes that everyone’s journey is different, and finding the right groups and interests should happen naturally. By embracing personal growth, forming meaningful connections, and engaging with the campus community, students can make the most of their time at Valpo.

Jenny Salvador-Hernandez

Meet Jenny Salvador-Hernandez, a sophomore majoring in Health Science and an Activities Coordinator on campus. As a first-generation student, Jenny is passionate about giving back to her community. One of her biggest goals is to become a Physician Assistant (PA) and work in her hometown to support those in need.

Looking ahead, Jenny hopes to become more involved in campus life by exploring organizations like Alliance, BSO, and AAPIC and finding ways to collaborate with them. Her academic goal this semester is to gain a meaningful take away from each class while striving for top grades.

For Jenny, community and solidarity mean shared experiences, mutual support, and collaboration. She believes Valpo can foster stronger student connections by hosting inclusive events, promoting mentorship, and ensuring students feel heard. To help students feel more welcomed, she suggests more opportunities for cultural exchange, open dialogue, and personalized support.

Jenny appreciates how Loke Hall serves as a safe space for multicultural organizations and recognizes the Office of Multicultural Programs (OMP) as a key resource in supporting diverse students. Two of her favorite campus events were AAPIC’s Lunar New Year celebration and the Alliance Drag Show, which she found engaging and memorable.

Her advice to incoming freshmen? “Take the time to find your group of people. Building connections is key, whether through clubs, classes, or events. The transition to college life may take time, but surrounding yourself with the right people will make the experience smoother and more fulfilling.”