Transitioning from student to staff | Ivan from Latin American and Latino Studies on his 8 years at UIC

Name: Ivan Raya

Title: Business Manager

Department: Latin American and Latino Studies

Tell me a little bit about your history at UIC?

I started at UIC in 2016 as an undergraduate with a major in Integrated Health Studies and double major in Psychology. I graduated in 2020, right when the pandemic started. However, I went right into graduate school to get my Master of Education in Urban Higher Education. I graduated with my masters in 2022 and transitioned to a full-time position since then. I guess you can say I have been at UIC for about 8 years now and have enjoyed every moment of it thus far!

Integrated Health Studies is a relatively new major option at LAS – can you share what your experience was like in that program?

I found the major when I visited my academic advisor for a check in on my academic standing. I was undeclared at the time which was an opportunity for me to explore majors in LAS. I sought the IHS major because of the diverse courses involved. I was able to take some economic, chemistry, public health, and psychology classes. It was a major that had a little bit of everything which I thought was beneficial for my career goals.

What role does research and furthering your own education play in your career?

I firmly believe that learning is lifelong. We always learn new things and can use that new knowledge for our daily lives and careers. To me research plays a critical role in laying the foundation for future learning opportunities. I believe one can take previously conducted research and build on it in ways to expand the answer to a particular question. To me that building off of others knowledge is what drives me to work in a higher education environment. In higher education you get to see so many faculty researching things that they are passionate about.

Advice for other first-generation students?

It is okay to ask many questions. I did not have siblings to look up to guide me in my journey at UIC. However, I did have many professors and supervisors who I looked up to and asked questions on how to navigate my journey at UIC.

Trust yourself and believe that you can do it. Being first generation sometimes brings a big responsibility or need to make family proud. While that is true, I think that you as a student need to trust your own process and time to get to where you want to be.

Were there any resources or support systems you found particularly useful while you were a student at UIC?

Use the library to your advantage. Check out books, read the articles on their website for help, and use it for a quiet study space.

Seek an on-campus job opportunity, if possible. They are great to meet people and learn new skills that you can use in your job in the future. This is something I took advantage of and truly value the friendships and connections I have made while working on campus. Shout out to the UIC Bookstore and Campus Recreation!

Look for student organizations that you like. Take advantage of the involvement fairs that UIC does to showcase clubs and organizations. I was able to find numerous sport clubs that allowed me to keep active while I was on campus. Aside from your academic work, you need to find time for fun and engagement with other students.

What interests you about Liberal Arts and Sciences?

There are so many interests in LAS that I could list and go on about. But one thing that interested me was the dedication of the faculty and staff. I truly believe that LAS is amazing due to the immense amount of work and dedication there is to educate students for their future goals. I had an economics professor who was so passionate that a lot of what he taught still resonates with me today. Same thing with my psychology professors. All I can say is that LAS has amazing, dedicated, and passionate faculty who love what they do and are willing to share with their students.

Latin American and Latino Studies is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary at UIC this year – what does this accomplishment mean to you personally?

While I have only been in this role for 2 years, I can say that celebrating 50 years of LALS means celebrating 50 years of serving and educating the Latinx student population at UIC and Chicago. I believe the department is on track to grow and expose current and future students to numerous research opportunities, courses, and events that not only showcases the importance of a major in LALS, but importance of the Latinx population in Chicago, the state, and the country. I am happy to be in a department where the faculty are dedicated to their research and student success.

Why did you choose to come to UIC and LAS specifically?

I mainly chose to come to UIC for its affordability and access to a quality education. As a student I received financial aid from the university that assisted in paying for my education. I also received some financial assistance from LAS when the pandemic hit to pay off some of my dues. UIC strives to make getting a higher education affordable for those who need aid. I also decided to come to LAS as a student due to the opportunities and support. The faculty are immensely dedicated for their students to succeed, and I had no issue asking for help when I needed. I am truly happy to be working at the school where I received my undergraduate and masters degrees. Who knows, maybe a doctoral degree is in the works down the road.