OLLU alumna Sarai Bejarano was recently featured in the San Antonio Report with a powerful op-ed reflecting on how Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) transformed her life and career.
In the piece, Sarai shares her journey as a first-generation college student whose experience at Our Lady of the Lake University — and within the HSI program shaped in part by the late Dr. Antonio Rigual — opened doors to opportunity, leadership and advocacy.
Today, Sarai serves as the Manager of Media Relations and Marketing at LatinoJustice PRLDEF, where she works to defend and protect Hispanic-Serving Institutions and advance equity through legal advocacy.
Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Sarai’s story reflects the mission-driven impact of OLLU and the vital role HSIs play in supporting first-generation and Latino students. Her op-ed is both personal and urgent, underscoring why protecting these institutions matters for future generations.