Meet Jorge Aragon, a first-generation student who believes in leading by example. He shares what it means to find community and build valuable leadership skills at KU.

Every Jayhawk has a story. In this series, we’re highlighting the journeys of KU students who are making their mark on campus, overcoming obstacles and seizing the opportunities that help them grow. These personal stories reflect the spirit and resilience that define KU.

Q: Tell us a little about you and what you're studying.

A: My name is Jorge Aragon, and I’m a junior studying Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology on the Pre-med Track, and I also have a minor in Spanish!

Q: As a first-generation student, what resources and support systems have been most helpful to you at KU?

A: The TRIO program has been my biggest support. The people there genuinely care about their students, and my advisor was the first person who really made me feel like they cared about my future. They changed the course of my career here at KU exponentially. When you don't have somebody in your family that can teach you how to navigate college life, that can be very difficult, and TRIO is an amazing resource.

Q: How has KU helped you find a sense of community and belonging?

A: KU is a huge school, and there are clubs and there are people out there that are exactly like you. A student can find a sense of community and belonging by really reaching out. Being bold is scary, but you're not going to get anywhere by just going to your classes and going home. Go out and find organizations and clubs, because they are there. 

Q: Can you tell us about your involvement in student organizations?

A: I currently serve as the president for Phi Iota Alpha, which is the only Latino-based fraternity at KU! It's genuinely the first place that I've ever felt a sense of community. 

Being around Latino men that care about their future, care about excellence, care about the standard that they hold themselves to, is something that I've never experienced. I joined because these men and the fraternity inspired me, and I want to do that for other people. I love this community and most of all, I love being pushed to do better by every one of them.

I’m also a part of FIRST, the first-generation student organization. I really try to give back to the first-gen community because it's very difficult navigating something that nobody in your family has gone through in a place that you've never been.  

Q: How do you manage your time and stay on top of classes, studying, activities and work?

A: I had never used Google calendar until I came here, I never had a schedule. KU offers resources like workshops for managing and balancing your college life, but it’s also a personal thing to just surround yourself with people that will help you. I would give credit to the people in my fraternity that were already juniors and seniors when I joined. They showed me what they knew about how to navigate balancing everything in college, because it's not easy at all.

Q: What advice would you give to incoming students, especially those with a non-traditional path?

A: My advice is to ‘keep the main thing the main thing.’ There are a ton of distractions everywhere, but balance is the biggest thing. You really need to prioritize your academics over everything your first couple of semesters, because it's not like high school. 
Also, find your community, because it's very difficult to feel happy in a place where you don't feel like you belong. Find that strong sense of belonging, that feeling of ‘I get you’. You just have to take that initiative and go out there and find them.

At KU, you'll find clubs, organizations and campus resources that offer support, connection and community, no matter your goals. Explore KU’s TRIO SES & STEM offices for academic support, connect with peers in the FIRST student organization or find a sense of brotherhood in Phi Iota Alpha. Inspired by Jorge’s story? Find your path at KU — start your application today!