April 18, 2024

First-Generation Ferris State Graduate Focusing on Building Community and Strengthening Education

Leonardo Almanza planned to become a law enforcement officer. But the first-generation college student redirected his focus to education and community building after starting at Ferris State University – and it’s become his passion.

“I did not have excellent grades, but I applied myself to achieving success on campus and followed my cousin’s introduction to join Sigma Lambda Beta, a historically Latino-based fraternity during my first Spring semester at Ferris,” Almanza said. “It proved to be everything I expected, and so many doors opened for me because I was willing to consider and accept each opportunity I encountered.”

The Upsilon Epsilon chapter’s mission of the Betas is to serve the needs of others, and Almanza took that to heart as he joined the Hispanic Student Organization in 2018. He also became a founding member and peer educator in the Anti-Violence Alliance while assisting staff in the Student Life office.

“That began my involvement in securing keynote speakers for campus programs,” Almanza said. “I was very proud to have a hand in the presentation of ‘Five-Star Events.’ It was important to get our campus to recognize and be watchful for sexual assault incidents or to be an advocate for Latinos who are first-generation students from migrant families. One of the proudest moments of my time on campus came from investing a half year in that First-Gen program, which saw over 160 people participate in an award-winning presentation.”

Almanza began his junior year as a member of the Student Leadership Activities and Advisory Council, studying the validity of registered student organization applications, then moved on to become president of the Sigma Lambda Beta chapter, while joining the Student Alumni Gold Club and one of the founders of the United Greek Council.

“I learned early on from a mentor that you learn so much from your life experiences on campus, maybe more than you gain from your coursework,” he said.

“Sometimes you have to take chances and accept that you may make mistakes,” Almanza said. “I was struggling, as I had an internship arranged but canceled because of the pandemic. I applied as part of a field of over 250 students seeking a fellowship that summer with the Association of Latino Professionals for America. I was fortunate, along with Veronica Mascorro, to become Ferris’ National Fellows. It was a great experience working with the Bank of America. When the opportunity arises, I tried to ignore ‘No’ as answer and give my best effort.”

Almanza used social media skills to note and promote his campus involvements and was selected as the 2020 Homecoming Ambassador, though there was no sporting event audience that year.

“I was proud to have had a hand in the success of six campus organizations while I worked on and off campus to meet my expenses, progressing steadily toward earning a CJ degree,” Almanza said. “Putting my time and effort in to make for a better Ferris campus had always been my goal, but the pandemic meant I had to adapt to the environment and welcome advice and support from others, whether it’s students, faculty or staff.”

Almanza earned the 2021 Torchbearer Award from the Center for Leadership, Activities and Career Services and gained his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Public Advocacy. Before his virtual commencement ceremony, Leonardo was on the job professionally helping Kent County families struggling with the ongoing impacts of the pandemic.

“The COVID Emergency Rental Assistance program was not directly aligned with my criminal justice teachings, but I was focused on helping others,” Almanza said. “I applied, making a strong case about the variety of experiences Ferris gave me, and after succeeding in the interview process, I joined them as a community service assistant.”

CERA employees were notified of an opening in the Kent County Community Action division and Leonardo pointed to his background as a campus and community advocate in claiming his place with the governmental-nonprofit hybrid.

“Being able to invest in individuals in need and improve the lives of all Kent County residents is a rewarding but sometimes stressful task,” Almanza said. “As a community service assistant in emergency and senior-related responses, it can be emotional to tell ‘Bills for Basics’ contacts their utility debt has been paid or their eviction process has stopped. My bilingual skills are an asset in helping seniors find resources across the county’s service spectrum to live comfortably in inadequate housing. There is fulfillment in succeeding with those residents, and I recently celebrated my second anniversary with KCCA.”

Almanza’s capacity to give of himself remains boundless as a young professional, as he accepted the challenge to collaborate with those establishing the Ferris State University Latino Alumni Association.

He had a Public Advocacy course, and a project for that class brought attention to the need for such a group.

“While I wondered how it would fit into my schedule, I joined Ana Ramirez-Saenz of Ferris’ board of trustees and former university staffers Carlos Sanchez and Kaylee Moreno Burke to bring about this association,” he said. “The goal is to continue engaging and educating alumni and students through networking opportunities. Carlos asked me to join, then suggested I become an FSULAA board member, and raised the stakes by asking if I would be chairman. I had a little doubt as a 22-year-old, but I saw all of this as an opportunity. It was certainly a personal growth experience as the board worked on creating an organization and event schedule.”

Advocacy is at the heart of the work.

“Each board member goes all out to advocate for all things the university can offer students and alumni beyond Center for Latin@ Studies programming, such as connecting students approaching graduation with professionals,” Almanza said. “This often means giving my free time to events that focus on success for Latino students because that population is growing at Ferris, and our goal is to be responsive to them.”

Almanza said mixing work and enjoyment is essential to the Latino Alumni Association experience.

Not yet 25 but rich with experience and involvement, Almanza looks to his future working in Grand Rapids and advocating for the university, which includes participation in Ferris’ West Michigan Council, as a way to pay it forward.

“I have been delighted with what my role at KCCA involves, grateful to help each person I meet,” Almanza said. “Becoming a supervisor or program manager with the association would be a great ‘next step,’ just another opportunity to strive for excellence and sell myself. Whatever my role is in giving to and serving a community, I am confident I can identify and promote the actions and qualities I have been able to offer so far.”