Lyzandro Villa-Espino’s face lights up with enthusiasm as he discusses his experiences at the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno so far. He’s someone who dives into every opportunity with zest and the desire to lead.
Just a few months into his third year on campus, he has made it his mission to find his success through helping others, especially Latinx students. He’s achieved this through his involvement with many campus organizations including the Latino Student Advisory Board, the Latino Research Center, the Spanish club, the University Consulting Club, TRIO STEM Scholars program and has even dabbled in recruiting for the College of Engineering.
“Education is the most important motivator for me,” Villa-Espino, an international business major and first in his family to attend a university, said. “I like to learn what I’m afraid of, and then do it.”
While his level of campus involvement is impressive, Villa-Espino admits his first days were challenging and nerve-wracking. As a local Northern ÁùºÏ±¦µän who attended Sparks High School, he decided to live at home with his family and was worried he would not build a community on campus. He felt isolated when he didn’t immediately see many Latinix students on campus.
His worries were quickly abated when he visited the First-Generation Student Center. The First-Gen Student Center helps students who will be the first in their families to complete a baccalaureate degree and income-qualified students to overcome class, social and academic barriers to higher education.
Through the First-Gen Student Center, he was introduced to the TRIO STEM Program, which provides academic assistance and support to help complete a baccalaureate degree in STEM or health-related majors. In those programs, he was able to take advantage of free tutoring services and other academic support such as workshops on FAFSA, scholarships, internship programs and information on managing academic life. Additionally, he received the support of a peer mentor providing him with someone to be in his corner and cheering him on. His peer mentor was Angel Barboza, who just completed a dual bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and biology.
Lyzandro Villa-Espino and his peer mentor Angel Barboza.“It’s so important to have someone to help me succeed,” Villa-Espino said. “He has helped get me to this point.”
Soon, Villa-Espino channeled that experience into a desire to help others. He became a recruiter for Upward Bound, a federally funded and highly competitive college preparatory program that delivers services and support to high-achieving, income-qualified, first-generation high school students. The University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno program serves 246 students at eight target schools in Washoe and Lyon counties.
“It was a full circle moment for me because I did not have enough follow-through to apply to Upward Bound in high school and I didn’t have the understanding that it would help me succeed,” he said. “I tell the students to have the courage to try something new, that’s how you learn. You are valuable, as a student, as a person, as a professional, and you always have something to bring to the table.”
These experiences have allowed him to live the true embodiment of The Wolf Pack Way, using what he has learned at the University and providing it for others, lifting up friends, neighbors and communities from challenges and seeking the prospect of a better future together.
Villa-Espino plans to pivot his skills into a career in international business. He credits his professor Roberto Ortiz in Spanish for pushing him to explore studying abroad and he plans to study in Madrid, Spain in fall 2025.
