My name is Sara Pruneda, I'm a third-year undergrad studying a plethora of fields: English Rhetoric and Writing, Urban Planning and Policy, a minor in Spanish and a double certification in Legal Studies and Technical writing. I'm a passionate student with a focus on writing, the most critical communication form. As a multi-field writer, I naturally flee to the unknown. There is always something to discover and CLASS has allowed me to celebrate my curiosity.

The UNT English department is a very special place. As a freshman, I had no idea what the future held for me, but I grasped on to the excitement of reading and composition. Eventually, I was nominated to represent other students who just like me, held a fervor for learning. Being an ambassador has not only sparked a unique area of creativity, but it also gave me the chance to serve my community. As a student leader, my favorite part of the role is observing how UNT English faculty and students can come together to celebrate diversity within the educational system. From a broad range of inclusive classes to events catered toward our students' needs, the English department is perfect for students searching for a place to call home.

I decided to get involved as a student ambassador because I noticed a need for more diverse student leaders. The aspect of collaborating with faculty and other students for the greater goal of mentoring the future leaders of America sounded like the perfect mission for the English department. I hope to create a safe place for students, and to represent people who like me, are new to the world of higher education. A major component of CLASS are first-generation students fighting for their future while simultaneously working to make ends meet. With the growth of our college the need for resources and outside help has also increased. The only way to make our needs visible is to speak. Gloria Anzaldua, a Latinx author once said:

"Awareness of our situation must come before inner changes, which in turn come before changes in society. Nothing happens in the "real" world unless it first happens in the images in our heads."

While we live in a complex world, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences is recognizing the hard work of students experiencing these obstacles. Our mission has intertwined itself with the underlying goal to provide access to education. This has been the most rewarding part of serving other students. Being able to watch change happen from within public systems.

With successful achievements such as the First-year writing program, the North Texas Review, and multiple speaker series', the English department is allowing their students to showcase their talent while also providing them with resources that can lead them to their next chapter in life. Providing resources allows college students to trust our faculty members and staff, leading them to embark on an educational journey with a strong support system who is rooting for them every step of the way.

A crucial step to finding support is getting involved on campus. Students will always have a home here; they just need to find it! With over 300 campus organizations, there is a place for everyone. From my personal experience, letting people guide you is the key to finding a home at UNT. Finding my place as an ambassador for CLASS has allowed me to develop professional skills but most importantly, it has helped me find the confidence within myself to pursue my next step in life.

Thanks to the skills I've learned through CLASS, I've recently been hired as an intern at Opening Doors International Services, a nonprofit that aids the public by offering immigration legal services to families and individuals in North Texas. After gaining some experience, I hope to take my leadership experience further by studying for a Ph.D. in Public Policy. My life mission applies to all aspects of my life, including my ambassadorship; I want to create change and make resources as accessible as possible. The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences is a special place. Not only for me, but also for our thousands of students aiming to create a better future.

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