by Naquela Kirk

Miguel Luna, a sophomore majoring in Political Science at UAB.
Photo by Naquela Kirk

Miguel Luna's journey at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) began after several campus tours during his junior and senior high school years. "I remember touring UAB, and I actually fell in love with the university." While he still attended Leeds High School, Miguel decided that UAB could help him further his aspirations in activism through studies in political science and government.

Now a sophomore, Miguel is heavily involved in campus activities and organizations where his political ambitions can shine through. In five years, he plans to study constitutional law in law school. But for now, he is a member of the Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA), serving as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) coordinator for the division of Student Services. Additionally, he is an administrative coordinator for the Social Justice Advocacy Council (SJAC) and a mentor for Queer Spheres, an offset of Queer Peers whose goal is to form mentorship-based programming for LGBTQ+ students at UAB.

Miguel following a panel discussion hosted by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Esperanza and SALSA highlighting the Hispanic experience at UAB.
Photo courtesy of Miguel Luna Born out of the challenges he identified while trying to connect with other Hispanic students on campus, Miguel helped co-create Esperanza with Jasmin Hernandez-Alamillo and Isabella Campos. Esperanza is a mentorship-based professional development organization for Hispanic and Latine students, where he serves as community board lead. "Hispanic and Latine people have a strong sense of community, and I really think that's one of the bigger factors in how it helps me with my day-to-day," adding that the organization adds to his desire to build and uplift the Hispanic and Latine populations at UAB.

In addition, Miguel also works with other student organizations like the Spanish and Latino Student Association (SALSA) and the Latino Medical Student Association Pre-Health Latino Undergraduate Society (LMSA PLUS) to have events observing Hispanic Heritage Month.

On October 2, Esperanza partnered with SALSA and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to host a panel discussion where UAB students of Hispanic origin and descent talked about their shared experiences as young Americans. Miguel spoke about things he wished others knew about his Mexican heritage. "There's an overarching focus on immigration or legal status that a lot of people are surprised when Hispanic and Latine people pursue higher education. I really want people to know that Hispanic and Latine people are intelligent and are in so many different fields that are fighting and struggling to just make a difference."

Miguel with his mother, Carmen.
Photo courtesy of Miguel Luna From left to right: Miguel’s brother, Juan; Miguel; his sister, Lorena; and his father, Jose.Miguel's parents were born in Mexico; his mother, Carmen, is from Nayarit and his father, Jose, is from Baja California. His mother, an insurance agent, inspired him to pursue higher education and gave him insight into what it means to fight for others. "She primarily works with Hispanic people, and I can always see how she really tries to help people with confusing and long tax laws."

Admiring the tenacity of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and the determination of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Miguel wants to champion people and make a difference in the legal system to mirror the empathy his mother shows her clients.

In his free time, he likes to immerse himself in CSPAN – watching US Senate and House of Representative meetings with dreams of one day holding an office and walking the hallowed chambers of the Capitol.

"Representation there is important, and properly representing the place that you live or the ideals that you and the people around you possess is something I want to bring to the table."