Leslie Ponce-Díaz
RISD
Leslie works daily to inject her creative energies and unwavering idealism into projects both on and off campus that address issues of equity, inclusion, community-building and social impact. A first-generation college student studying Architecture with a double concentration in Nature Culture Sustainability Studies and Theory and History of Art and Design at RISD, since stepping on to campus she has actively sought out involvement in local and global community engagement opportunities, understanding it as a vital way to strengthen and expand her academically grounded practice. Her experiences thus far have spanned from the high-level strategic to hands-on engagement – with individual and group impacts. A tremendous example of this is First-Generation Chisme, bilingual organization, that supports BIPOC, Low-Income and First-Generation students with resources, advice and mentorship. The online resource uses Mexican inspired ice-cream cart graphic design to engage youth in education. During the 2020 election, First-Gen College Chisme featured the importance of voting through design, podcast, and bilingual resources for the Latinx community. Leslie describes the organization as a place that “brings multiple generations to the same table in order to understand different perspectives and help each other successfully move forward.”
Personal Statement
As a Mexican American First-Generation college student, I prioritize representation, accessibility and community within my studies in architecture and involvement. The lack of resources as a First-Gen student inspired me to create my own bilingual organization, First-Generation College Chisme that supports BIPOC, Low-Income and First-Generation students with resources, advice and mentorship. The online resource uses Mexican inspired ice-cream cart graphic design to engage youth in education. During the election, First-Gen College Chisme featured the importance of voting through design, podcast, and bilingual resources for the Latinx community. It is important to create intergenerational work to help uplift communities of color through social justice. I have continued to explore the importance of social justice and community engagement within RISD’s campus by founding the Latinx student club, RISD Mango Street. It allowed me to collaborate with other Latinx students to build a community that was missing on campus. RISD Mango Street successfully hosted a Mango Mixer event where 50+ students attended in support of the Latinx community. In my current roles as an educator and mentor in Project Open Door, DownCity Design, and RISD Museum Spalter Fellowship, I work with local youth to explore the world of art and education.
