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Emmanuel Lopez, a proud Mexican American with family roots in Arandas, Jalisco, serves as the inaugural director of the Latinx Resource Center at Governors State University. In this role, he builds the infrastructure to support Hispanic/Latinx students through cultural programming, partnerships, mentorship, and collaborations that foster academic, personal, and professional success. Embracing his identity as a “200 Percenter,” Lopez draws strength from being both fully American and fully Mexican, channeling that duality into creating inclusive spaces and stronger connections across communities.
What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
My greatest career accomplishment to date has been becoming the inaugural director of the Latinx Resource Center. It’s especially meaningful to me because it’s the role I always envisioned for myself. During my undergraduate years, I took on leadership roles in several Latino student organizations, and this position felt like a full-circle moment, a reflection of all the energy, advocacy, and heart I poured into that work as a student leader.
Being chosen as the first to lead this center was deeply personal. It reminded me that all the moments I kept pushing through fear, self-doubt, and anxiety, believing in myself even when it wasn’t easy, were not in vain. It also affirmed that the leadership at Governors State University saw something in me, and that belief continues to fuel how I show up for our students every day.
Most importantly, this role honors the sacrifices of my parents, especially my mother. She never had the chance to go to college, but she taught herself English and sign language so she could advocate for me and give me the best chance at an education. I was the first in my family to graduate from both community college and a university, and I did so carrying her hopes and sacrifices with me every step of the way. My mom gave everything she had to help me find my way, and the way she guided me through higher education is now my mission, I want to be that source of support for other students like myself, but on a larger scale. Her strength, resilience, and unconditional love showed me that anything is possible in this country. First-generation or not, our dreams matter, and they are always within reach.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment to date?
My greatest personal accomplishment to date is receiving an honorary degree from my alma mater, Prairie State College, after being selected as the 2021 commencement speaker. This honor holds a deeply personal place in my heart, not just because it came from the college that helped shape me, but because it came during one of the most difficult chapters in our collective history. Being entrusted to speak to the graduating class in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic was both humbling and emotional. The pandemic tested all of us, but it hit students especially hard. I poured my heart into delivering a message of hope and resilience, urging the Class of 2021 to recognize their strength, to hold tight to the courage that carried them through uncertainty, and to keep moving forward. To be invited back in that moment to uplift others, at the very place where my own journey began, meant the world to me. I remember watching the commencement ceremony with my mom and feeling a sense of pride, because I could tell that she knew all her sacrifices we well worth seeing her first son on screen for that moment. That memory will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Another personal accomplishment that means a great deal to me was helping my youngest brother, Fabian Lopez, secure a generous graduate scholarship to pursue his master’s degree in accounting at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Watching him take this next step in his academic journey filled me with pride, not just as a brother, but as someone who knows how hard it is to navigate higher education without a roadmap. Supporting Fabian through the application process reminded me why access and opportunity matter so much. His success felt like a win for our entire family, and it reaffirmed my belief in the power of guidance, encouragement, and showing up for those we love.
What do you do today to impact your community?
As the Director of the Latinx Resource Center at Governors State University, my work is centered on creating spaces of belonging, support, and empowerment for Latinx students. Through programs, mentorship, and advocacy, I strive to uplift students and help them persist through their academic journey. But my commitment to community extends beyond campus. I also serve in various external leadership roles to advance equity and access on a broader scale. I’m proud to be part of the planning committee for several impactful conferences, including the IACAC Sharing the Dream Conference (250–300 participants), the ILACHE Conference (which I helped bring to GovState for the first time and welcomed over 400 participants), and the USHLI National Conference, which reaches over 5,000 attendees annually. These roles allow me to amplify the voices of Latinx students, foster cross-institutional collaboration, and ensure our communities are reflected, celebrated, and supported at every level.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In the next five years, I see myself nearing the completion of a doctoral degree. I didn’t come this far just to stop short of reaching the highest level of education—I want to finish what I started and continue setting an example for others in my community. Professionally, I hope to grow into the role of Executive Director of the Latinx Resource Center, where I can expand our impact and continue building meaningful programs that uplift students. I also have a personal goal of reaching 10,000 followers on LinkedIn. Right now, I’m over 7,600, because I believe in using my platform to inspire, share resources, and advocate for equity in education. One of the goals closest to my heart is helping my institution officially become a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and then leading the charge in securing a multimillion-dollar HSI grant from the Department of Education to fund transformational student success initiatives. Just as important, I hope to support my partner in achieving her own dreams, specifically helping her earn a master’s degree in the field she’s passionate about. All of these goals are rooted in a shared vision: to keep pushing forward, not just for myself, but for my family, my students, and my community.
What is the biggest issue that you want to help solve, and why?
One of the biggest issues I want to help solve is the lack of support for Hispanic students in higher education. While the number of Hispanic students enrolling in colleges and universities is steadily increasing across the country, many of them first-generation and from lower-income backgrounds, far too many institutions still struggle to provide the culturally responsive support these students need to succeed.
I want to make a meaningful difference in the communities I serve by ensuring students feel seen, supported, and empowered. My goal is to help them believe that higher education is not only for them, but that they truly belong in these spaces and have everything it takes to thrive.
When one student believes in their potential and completes their education, it creates a ripple effect that touches their entire family and community. Education is the key to generational change, and I want more students to become that change agent within their families.
What is a moment when you realized the impact of your work?
For me, it was the realization of a vision I helped bring to life, leading the charge to host a statewide conference at my university. On April 11th, Governors State University welcomed over 400 participants for the 32nd Annual Illinois Latino Council on Higher Education (ILACHE) Conference, one of the largest events ever held on our campus.
As I stood on stage during the welcome remarks and looked out at the sea of faces, students, educators, and community leaders from across the state, I felt the weight and meaning of that moment. It was more than just a conference; it was a celebration of culture, resilience, and academic excellence. That moment reminded me why this work matters.
What advice would 10-year-old you be shocked to hear you followed?
“Faith without works is dead.”
I grew up carrying a lot of insecurities that made it hard to have faith, in myself, in God, and in my path forward. But as I got older, this quote became a guiding light. It reminded me that faith isn’t passive, it requires action, courage, and intention. Embracing that truth helped me reconnect with my spiritual foundation, which ultimately strengthened my belief in myself. The rest is history.
What’s a cultural tradition that always brings you joy?
One cultural and religious tradition that grounds me every year is La Virgen de Guadalupe Day. My faith has always been a source of strength, especially in moments of trauma and hardship. The image of La Virgen de Guadalupe is more than a symbol, it’s a spiritual anchor that reminds me that I’m never alone. Her presence has guided me through some of the most difficult chapters of my life, offering comfort, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose. Honoring her each December is not just a ritual, but a powerful reminder of my roots, my faith, and the enduring hope that carries me forward.
What song do you listen to that motivates you?
A song that always motivates me is “I’m Beamin’” by Lupe Fiasco. It reminds me to stay focused and believe in myself, even when the odds feel stacked against me. Lupe’s lyrics are uplifting, and his message of resilience and self-worth speaks to something deeper in me. He attended high school in the same city where I was born, so there’s a strong sense of connection, I see parts of my own journey in his story. His music doesn’t just inspire me; it affirms that greatness can come from where I come from.
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Connect with Emmanuel Lopez on LinkedIn.
