Hector Robledo
University of North Texas at DallasHector Robledo is an ambitious, charismatic leader and a business administration student. He created the UNT Dallas chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and as President of the organization, coordinated a volunteer experience for his members at the 14th annual event "Cena En El Barrio" or "Dinner in the Neighborhood" at The North Texas Food Bank. This event attempts to fight poverty, hunger and relieve financial strain on struggling families. With the help of 300 LULAC members from across the metroplex, 2,800 Christmas dinner care packages were distributed around North Texas. As a Jaguar Orientation Counselor, Hector participated in new student orientations, guided new students with class registration and helped undocumented students complete their TAFSA application. A total of 45 undocumented students were enrolled in Fall 2018 and he advised each of them while sharing his journey as an undocumented student. Hector currently works as a Peer Advisor in the Academic Advising Department. Hector hopes to demonstrate to congress that undocumented DACA students have great potential to improve communities in the country. The future for the DACA program is uncertain, however Hector is optimistic and will continue to serve as a public leader in his community.
Personal Statement
At a young age, I was unaware that I was an undocumented student. I became aware of my status at the age of nine and began to fear that I would not be able to attend college due to my illegal residence in the United States. In 2015, I applied and got accepted for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) and realized that my dream of attending college could still be fulfilled. I began my college journey at Dallas County Community College District and traveled to the National Legislative Summit, which took place in Washington D.C. Here, I approached Senator Cornyn and Congressman Veasey and had cordial conversations about the importance of DACA. The program granted up to 800,000 undocumented immigrants the ability to work legally in the United States, further their education and helped me to receive four scholarships to obtain my degree. This experience helped me realize how I can use my journey to help other students in similar situations. I see myself working as a full-time academic advisor in the future to continue to help students realize their goals. As dreamers, we are seeking reform, we belong to this country, we are undocumented and unafraid.