By Alicia Wanek
“Have faith in yourself. We have faith in you.” This encouraging mantra from her parents has shaped Alejandrina Guzman’s life outlook. Armed with a contagious optimism, heartfelt kindness, and a commitment to helping others, this newly appointed president of the University of Texas at Austin student government embodies a remarkable spirit that surpasses her petite frame.
As a first-generation American and the first in her family to attend college, Alejandrina makes history as the first Latina and differently-abled student body president among all Big 12 institutions. Together with her vice president, Micky Wolf, they form a dynamic duo dedicated to voicing the concerns of every UT student. Their campaign slogan, “RALLY: Represent All Longhorns Like You,” stems from pivotal moments during Alejandrina’s early academic journey at UT, which fueled her ambition to instigate change. “If I don’t like something, I might as well be part of changing it,” she asserts. Micky adds, “Alejandrina is a truly distinctive individual. Anyone who meets her leaves feeling uplifted… The university benefits from her leadership.”
Challenges faced during her sophomore year could have led Alejandrina to a place of defeat; however, they instead opened doors for her resilience and growth. She grappled with finding her academic direction, switching majors several times, and facing mobility challenges on a campus that often lacks accessibility for wheelchair users. Additionally, she faced disappointment when she was not invited to join her desired sorority during rush week. “I felt positive after our interactions,” she recalls. When rejection came, it left her “confused and hurt.” She later discovered it was due to the sorority’s inability to accommodate her mobility requirements.
“This was my first experience with social injustice—a clear instance of discrimination,” Alejandrina reflects. She responded by sending a letter to the sorority, expressing her hope that no one else would endure similar treatment. After eventually receiving a bid from the sorority, she realized she couldn’t represent an organization that had initially discriminated against her. Shortly thereafter, she was invited via Facebook to join the Hispanic Student Association. Growing up in predominantly white Azle, Texas, she had limited exposure to her cultural roots outside her family and decided to embrace this new opportunity. Reflecting on that decision, she acknowledges, “Honestly, without that experience, I wouldn’t be who I am today.” This involvement encouraged her to engage with other campus organizations, many of which focus on advocacy and in which she assumed leadership roles. She eventually found her passion in Mexican-American studies. Additionally, despite initial reservations, she ran last-minute for a seat in student government and was elected as the university-wide representative, paving her path to the presidency she holds now.
It’s clear that she and Micky aim to advocate for all campus communities, but Alejandrina’s tenacity has been evident since birth. Although doctors were aware her mother was expecting a differently-abled child, they withheld this information until the day before her birth. Arriving not breathing for nearly nine minutes, she was resuscitated with assistance from the medical team. Initially, physicians had low expectations due to her diastrophic dysplasia diagnosis, suggesting she wouldn’t survive. Yet, as time passed, she kept defying odds. Doctors predicted she would never walk, talk, or eat—but her mother was determined otherwise. She and Alejandrina’s father worked tirelessly to help their daughter achieve every milestone, instilling in her the belief that she could overcome any obstacle. “Don’t ever say you can’t do it,” they would encourage. Alejandrina fondly recalls her dad questioning her, “You can’t do it or you don’t want to?” They taught her the importance of finding ways to overcome challenges, fostering her belief in capable perseverance: “A big reason I am the way I am is my parents,” she notes.
Micky and Alejandrina advise new students not to fear failure when exploring new avenues. He encourages parents of incoming freshmen to inspire their children to take risks, as valuable lessons come from both successes and failures. Alejandrina exemplifies this philosophy in action. Their aspiration for the upcoming year is to empower their peers. At just 22 years old, Alejandrina’s life narrative is already an inspiration, and one can only imagine the vast potential that lies ahead for this remarkable young leader as she ventures into the future.
