An Unexpected Path and a Driving Passion 



At the far end of Colorado State University, roughly near the corner of West Laurel Street and South College Avenue, sits the Admissions office. A well-used building. It is the first welcome many students have at Colorado State or at any university for that matter of fact. It’s the building for prospective students to receive a well-guided tour of a potential new home. Right through those doors and into the presentation room are the ambassadors; the face of the school, the first welcoming handshake, and a glimpse at what life could be like at an institution of higher education. Continuing through the building and down to the basement are coordinators, advisors, and what the student ambassadors might call bosses. Among these is Senior Admissions Counselor for Group Visits Coordinator, Miguel Banuelos-Garcia. Once a CSU graduate and now a grad student getting his master’s and fully employed by the admissions office Banuelos-Garcia never really intended for this outcome. All the way back to his senior year of high school, Banuelos-Garcia’s had his future all planned out. Originally planning to go to Denver University, Banuelos-Garcia and his family were excited about all the opportunities and support in his next step in life. However, a very persistent friend changed his decision for him. Banuelos-Garcia had never been to Fort Collins, Colorado until his campus tour of Colorado State. An admissions ambassador named Fernando changed his perspective by showing him life at CSU and his college decision ultimately changed. “He started to break down walls for me,” Banuelos-Garcia said. Fernando changed his perspective and showed him that stepping out of his comfort zone was good for him. Banuelos-Garcia was able to envision himself at CSU and mostly he was excited about all of the opportunities that were being offered. This was the start of Banuelos-Garcia’s unexpected path. After changing schools and committing to Colorado State Banuelos-Garcia faced a tough conversation with his parents. Being a first-generation student and an only child is hard Banuelos-Garcia navigated the situation and shared his excitement for CSU with his parents. However, his parents still weren’t so pleased about him going to CSU instead of DU however, that all changed on move-in day. Banuelos-Garcia could not have been more excited about this new change. There were so many opportunities and organizations for him to get involved in. Banuelos-Garcia spoke about how his parents thought his smile was due to the fact he was moving away from home but really was because CSU was his next step in finding out who he was more. Something quite interesting happened on move-in day. John from over at parent and family programming bumped into Banuelos-Garcia’s parents and changed their experience. John speaks Spanish and he was able to connect with Banuelos-Garcia’s dad in a way that opened doors and broke down walls they had about CSU. “Not only did I find my community here but my parents also found a community and connection with another staff member, and so that really opened up doors for my parents to feel welcomed in this new environment and saw themselves and that they were about to be part of something greater than what I was doing and being able to have those connects and support me in that way. Because being a first-generation student, parents don't really understand the whole concept of higher education they understand the value of it but I don't think they understand the process of it,” Banuelos-Garcia said. Finally with a good send-off and emotions more at ease, Banuelos-Garcia was ready to tackle college. Banuelos-Garcia kept finding more situations to grow in. He found that being a leader can be a hard task and a challenge in a big school. In high school, he had many opportunities to be a leader and help his fellow students. But in a big institution, all the opportunities can be intimidating; however, Banuelos-Garcia was able to find a space where he could use his skill and passion. Since he was a duo lingual student Banuelos-Garcia had times when being able to speak Spanish came in handy Key Communities were a great resource and outlet for him. He was able to connect with students who spoke Spanish, students who were questioning their identity, and students who knew the struggles of being a first-generation student. This gradually translated over to being an admissions ambassador just like Fernando, Banuelos-Garcia was able to give students hope and a glimpse of what college life was like. He found a place where he could be himself and help other students along the way “Need for belonging but not just for yourself but others because you wanna open up a space that is inclusive for everyone,” Banuelos-Garcia said. That’s just what he did. He found a home where he could help other students and made it an inclusive space for all. “So when I looked at the big picture admissions gave me that outlet of like if I am able to use my won identities for representation I’m able to help out other families and students and opening up that door as well in regards to community building and so that what really helped me to find a sense of belonging and sense of opportunity as well as purpose while being a student as well,” Banuelos-Garcia said. Banuelos-Garcia was able to grow and help other students, prospective students and families, as much as he could. He was able to transition to full-time staff and be the head of group visits, which is where high schools come and tour the campus. Nailea Andrade-Serrano, a senior studying Human Development, and Family Studies is also an admissions ambassador but most of the work she does is under Banuelos-Garcia and the group visits. “Miguel is that he is my role model. He has been someone in my life that I have really seen as a mentor in my life and am grateful to have him in my life. I have known Miguel for a couple of years now and actually met him before I came to CSU, when he was an undergrad Ambassador. When I saw someone on campus that looked like me and had the same background as me I knew that I was able to see myself on this campus. Miguel has always poured his heart and soul into his work and I have seen that first hand. His passion to get students connected to college and resources inspires me to be like him. I hope to do the same one day and he always pushes me to be my best. I don’t know where I would be without him,” Andrade-Serrano said. Banuelos-Garcia does more for this community than he knows. Current students who meet him often get to learn from him and see how he is such a leader on this campus. “During my 7 months at CSU, Miguel has been the most influential colleague that I have had the honor to work alongside. Miguel takes pride in his ability to elevate the status of our university through the group visit experience and influences everyone in the office to better themselves professionally and personally. He is passionate about CSU and his enthusiasm is both evident and infectious. Because of Miguel’s attention to detail and love for the ambassador program, we have been able to re-engage students after working virtually for a year and a half. I am proud to work alongside Miguel and am excited for our work to continue next Fall when we bring on 9 Spanish Specialist Ambassadors to further our University’s goal of becoming a Hispanic serving institution. In addition to all of the ways he influenced me as a professional, he has also influenced me as a friend and we now have an ongoing friendly competition about who is the best dressed in the office,” Ben Mancino said. Senior Admissions Counselor for Campus Visits. Banuelos-Garcia is embracing his role and leaving his mark on Colorado State University. He has helped students, colleagues, and prospective students and families find community and hope for new beginnings or clarification for uncertain paths. The same influence that Fernando had on him and John had on his dad, Banuelos-Garcia now has that for so many here at CSU. He doesn’t stop in the face of adversity and doesn’t hide who he is. He lets everyone know that being confident in who you are and being passionate and loving and working hard is all that is needed to find a home and job that lets you express yourself and your passion. “You’re not only recruiting students to come to CSU but you’re able to provide them with that additional support and resources to see them graduate one day,” Banuelos-Garcia said. “It’s crazy to think how simple our jobs are but how impactful they really are and I think that’s what hit home for me as an ambassador.”

Photo to right Miguel Banuelos-Garcia posing with Colorado State University mascot Cam the Ram. Photo taken by a Ram handler and was taken at the event admissions office put on for National Decision Day. Photo below. In the photo back row from left to right Jake Mohr, Ben Mancino, and Miguel Banuelos-Garcia. The front row includes from left to right Jennifer Gutierrez, Justin Arndt, Samantha Hanek, Tucker Booth, and Priya Williams. The photo was taken at the event admissions office put on for National Decision Day.