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Speak Your Truth

"I’ve noticed my community is trying to embrace it even more now. We’re all here celebrating our culture and where we’re from because all the things we’ve had to endure. We’re here because of that."
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Alex Navarro-Guzman
Speaking your truth is a phrase that seems to be synonymous with Diversity and Outreach Admissions Counselor Alex Navarro-Guzmán ('20). 

While Navarro-Guzmán is studying for a Master's of Business Leadership and Innovation, she is working hard to support diversity and inclusion across campus. 

"The time right now is about getting comfortable no matter what space you’re in," she says. "We need to see representation because representation is important."

Over the years, Navarro-Guzmán experienced biases against her, including criticism for getting scholarships. 

"Sometimes when we walk into a room, we have to have a title behind our name like, 'Alexandra Navarro-Guzmán PhD' for people to even listen,” she says. “It shouldn’t be like that.”
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"You can really, really push us down, but at the end of the day, we are like seeds and we are going to grow and rise above."

She also mentions that it almost feels like a form of imposter syndrome because of all the pre-conceived notions that people can have. 

"'Oh, you’re Hispanic/Latina or you’re African American or you’re this color or this so therefore you are not educated'," she says. "You find it very difficult to find yourself in these kind of positions because people have been pushing you down."

Despite feeling discouraged, Navarro-Guzmán learned the best way to cope.

"You can really, really push us down, but at the end of the day, we are like seeds and we are going to grow and rise above," she says. "We’re always going to be reaching for the top and wanting to grow."

When it comes to Hispanic Heritage Month, Navarro-Guzmán is celebrating everything about herself—from her community to food and her language. 

“We’re really here to celebrate our accomplishments and important people who made a difference,” she says. “I’ve noticed my community is trying to embrace it even more now. We’re all here celebrating our culture and where we’re from because all the things we’ve had to endure. We’re here because of that.” 

Navarro-Guzmán has advice for prospective students: find your place, and believe in your abilities. 

"As an alumna and an admissions counselor, my advice is to take that leap and have faith in your ability to be successful," she says. "Be yourself. Find your people, where you feel most at home."

About This Article

Lizzie Kibler ('16)
Contributor, NKU Magazine
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Published October 2020
Photography provided 
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