International Affairs graduate Eileen Magaña’s goal is law school, focusing on immigration law.
Eileen Magaña’s Northern Arizona University journey wasn’t just about pursuing an education; it was a quest for identity, connection, and purpose. A spring 2024 magna cum laude graduate with a degree in International Affairs, Magaña’s story is one of breaking barriers and building bridges.
Connecting with her heritage
Growing up in Utah as a first-generation Hispanic student, Magaña often felt out of place in a predominantly white and Mormon community. She felt pressure to prove herself by taking the hardest classes and excelling across the board. “I shouldn’t have to feel like this,” she recalls thinking. Her desire for connection and understanding of her parents’ history propelled her to seek out a more diverse environment for college.
She found it by chance when an NAU advertisement in an airport caught her eye. Magaña applied on a whim, and the acceptance call she received marked the beginning of a new chapter. NAU’s personal touch, its status as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), an invitation to join the Honors College, and the ease of applying her numerous AP credits made it an ideal choice. The relative proximity to the Mexican border offered a chance to connect with her heritage.
From the start, Magaña’s academic journey was marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence. She embarked on an accelerated path, taking seven classes per semester, achieving near-perfect grades, and graduating in just two years. Her ultimate goal is law school, focusing on immigration or international law. Her passion for justice was ignited in junior high school, where she participated in mock trial and debate, interacting with lawyers and judges who provided her with inspiration.
“They were encouraging,” she says. “But they would always say, ‘It’s so good that you’re Mexican because that will stick out stick out in the college and law admissions process.’”
Magaña refuses to be seen merely as a token Latine student. “I want to stand out not for the token that I am but for the diverse perspective that I can provide,” she asserts.
Finding support for her research at NAU
At NAU, Magaña found a supportive environment that nurtured her ambitions. Working as a research assistant for Professor Stephen Nuño-Perez in the Hispanic and Emerging Communities Lab, she took charge of the lab’s social media to showcase student research and connect with donors. Her own research on the privatization of immigration detention centers and the social abuses within these systems was rooted in her commitment to justice and advocacy.
Magaña’s research is not just academic but deeply personal. Her family’s immigration story, marked by struggles and triumphs, inspired her to delve into the complexities of the immigration system. Her father’s journey from contract work in Idaho to securing residency and her mother’s eventual citizenship after years of living undocumented shaped Magaña’s understanding of resilience and perseverance.
Ultimately, Magaña dreams of a future as an immigration judge, aiming to build networks and effect change on a global scale. Her professors at NAU, like Nuño-Perez, recognize her exceptional drive and potential. “Eileen is smart, motivated, and comes from a background where opportunities to do research on the Hispanic community at the collegiate level are relatively rare,” Nuño-Perez observes. He adds that her infectious personality and multilingual skills further distinguish her as a standout student. Magaña’s NAU journey is a beacon of hope and inspiration for first-generation students and those seeking to bridge cultural divides. Here, she found the foundation she needed to continue learning and building a life of purpose. “I love the staff here, the faculty, everyone here is incredible,” she says. “I think it’s great. I have nothing but good things to say about NAU.”
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