By Alicia Wanek
“Have faith in yourself. We have faith in you.” This affirmation from her parents has been a cornerstone in the life of Alejandrina Guzman. Fueled by this belief, along with her vibrant optimism, kindness, and a deep commitment to helping others, Alejandrina, the newly-elected president of the University of Texas at Austin student government, embodies a spirit that transcends her petite frame.
Alejandrina is a first-generation American, the first in her family to attend college, and she holds the distinction of being the first Latina and differently-abled student body president across all Big 12 institutions. Alongside her running-mate Vice President Micky Wolf, she leads a dedicated effort to advocate for every student at UT. Their campaign slogan, “RALLY” — Represent All Longhorns Like You — is rooted in experiences from her early days at UT that inspired Alejandrina to effect change. “If I see something I don’t like, I might as well be part of changing it,” she asserts. Micky shares her sentiments, expressing pride in their partnership: “Alejandrina is an incredibly unique individual. Anyone who meets her leaves better for the experience… The university benefits immensely from her leadership.”
Alejandrina’s sophomore year was fraught with challenges that could have disheartened her, yet she opted to view these hurdles as avenues for growth. Faced with uncertainty about her academic journey and having switched her major several times, she encountered difficulties navigating a campus that lacked adequate accessibility for her wheelchair. Additionally, she experienced disappointment when she was not accepted into the sorority she had hoped to join. Reflecting on that moment, she recalls feeling “confused and hurt” after believing she had formed a good connection. In retrospect, she learned that her wheelchair needs were too complex for the sorority to accommodate.
“This was my initial experience of social injustice. It felt like clear discrimination,” Alejandrina explains. She decided to pen a letter to the sorority, concluding with the hope that “no one else would have to experience what I did.” Although the sorority later extended a bid to her, Alejandrina recognized that accepting it would mean aligning herself with an organization that had previously turned her away. Soon afterward, she received an invitation via Facebook to join the Hispanic Student Association. Having grown up in predominantly white Azle, Texas, she had limited exposure to her cultural heritage, making her decision to participate a pivotal moment. Reflecting on that choice, she asserts, “I honestly don’t believe I would be the same person today if I hadn’t joined.” Her involvement propelled her into various campus organizations—often in leadership roles—that focused on advocacy. In this journey, she found her passion in Mexican-American studies. Ultimately, after some initial reservations, she ran for student government and was elected university-wide representative, laying the groundwork for her current role as president.
Alejandrina, alongside Micky, is poised to champion the diverse communities at UT. From her very first moments, she has exemplified resilience. Though her mother’s pregnancy revealed that she was carrying a differently-abled child, the full scope of her condition was not disclosed until the day before her birth. Alejandrina arrived in the world without breathing for nearly nine minutes before medical staff assisted her. Initial projections by doctors were grim, suggesting she would not survive, speak, eat, or walk. Her mother, however, was determined to prove otherwise. “That won’t be the case,” she insisted. Through persistent dedication, her parents nurtured her to achieve every developmental milestone, instilling the belief that limits were merely challenges to overcome. Alejandrina recalls her father’s probing questions: “Is it that you can’t do it, or you don’t want to?” Even in her youth, as she attempted to climb onto the couch, her parents encouraged her to find solutions independently. Reflecting on their influence, she states, “My parents are a major reason I am who I am.”
Micky shares their advice with incoming students: “You mustn’t shy away from the possibility of failure when exploring new experiences.” Furthermore, he urges parents of freshmen to encourage their children to embrace risks, as valuable lessons can arise from all experiences. Alejandrina is a living testament to this philosophy. As they prepare for the year ahead, their goal is to uplift and empower their fellow students. Alejandrina’s remarkable life narrative serves as significant inspiration, and she is only 22. The future promises boundless opportunities for this exceptional young leader as she continues her journey in the world.
