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For Casandra Garcia Vega college was never an option growing up. “I did not count on financial resources, it was a dream that stayed in my dreams,” she stated in a recent interview. Vega initially viewed getting a college education, within a context where she wouldn’t be seen or heard, as a waste of time and money. Casandra’s mother, with only a middle school education, came to the United States as an undocumented 16-year-old from Michoacán, Mexico. Growing up, she witnessed her mother and father working two to three jobs to support the family, while being raised in Aspen, CO. “I wasn’t allowed to have a childhood, no time to play, or think like a kid. I had big responsibilities, such as being a big sister, cooking, and taking care of my brother. We both had to worry about doing our best in school, but I had no intention of getting good grades, when I had no faith of continuing my education. I was more worried about getting a job, and providing my own meals during high school so that my parents don’t have to worry about me on top of giving my brother money for his lunch. It was a tough reality for us, and we couldn’t allow our parents to know of our feelings, we never wanted them to feel any time of guilt or fault.” Casandra stated. 

As fate would have it, the trajectory of Vega’s life would dramatically change course in high school, after being an active participant of the Roaring Fork Pre-Collegiant Program. A program designed to help first generation students be successful through their college applications. Casandra through this program, came to CU Boulder as a participant of this program in 2018 and 2019. The program consists of living and taking classes with CU. At the end of the program each student applies to CU Boulder and is passed through a complete admissions process. During the 2019 summer program Casandra connected with the strong history of the Chicano Movement from the 1970s, more specifically with the Story of Los Seis de Boulder. The legacy in which six CU Boulder Chicano students lost their lives, due to two different car bombings in May 1974. After being challenged to learn more about these students, and the Chicano movement, their students’ legacy inspired young Casandra to make the decision to go to college, more importantly to commit to CU Boulder. “I have a conversation with myself where I asked, why subscripting to whole intellectualism, why I am letting myself subscribe to white definitions of value, unsuccess, in that moment I took the opportunity to reframe how I thought of myself and started developing a large amount on confidence for myself, and my identity as a proud Chicana.”  

Today, as a junior at CU Boulder majoring in Political Science and International Affairs, Casandra is on track to make a difference both at CU and within her larger Chicana community. As a member of the Multicultural Leadership Scholars program Vega ran for Tri-Executive President in the Spring 2023 student government elections because she believes that “It’s important to bring in different types of leadership,” she stated. “Very few leadership roles are structured from a community perspective.”  

Vega credits both Dr. Johanna Maes and Sabrina Sideris with facilitating both her emotional and professional growth as a leader at CU by providing her with a space of healing, community and development. “I think before I’ve always had to prove a point and be louder, be stronger, and be angry and aggressive to be able to be heard,” Casandra stated. “My mentors have helped me become a stronger leader in learning how to speak with people in a non-violent communication way. I have a strong voice and have learned how to communicate, incubating a style of listening to understand, not only to respond, which has allowed me to build a stronger relationship with my professors and all my communities.” 

Casandra plans to go to law school after graduating from CU and eventually start a non-profit to help her community with issues related to food insecurity, immigration, and wants to continue to build strong ties within her communities, to make a difference for future generations. 

Casandra mentions using a “In Lak’ech” an Aztec Philosophy that cares with it the values of many Chicanos like Casandra. One of the stronger beliefs from In Lak’ech is the value that “You are my other me” therefore “If I do harm to you, I do harm to myself. I carry that with me. If I heal myself and respect myself, I will be able to help other in my communities.”