My name is Melanie Wolfe. My family and I came to the United States from Peru when I was 5 years old. Terrorism, violence, and poverty were (and are) major issues in Peru. My parents wanted more safety, security, and opportunity for my unborn baby brother and me. They dreamed of a life for us here because to them, the United States was the place where dreams come true.

We made it to California and moved to Utah when I was 12. At first, my parents thought it would be best for their children to attend an all-English school. I remember an instance where I had to use the restroom, but I couldn’t convey the message to my teacher because I didn’t speak English. Something about my behavior at that moment made her think I was being disrespectful. In the end, I didn’t make it to the restroom. That was a traumatic experience for a young girl. After a while, my parents found an English-Spanish dual immersion program at another school, which allowed me to learn English while still holding on to my Spanish roots. 

My parents earned degrees in Peru (my father in pharmaceuticals and my mom in education) that are not valid in the U.S. Their current jobs are better than their first jobs here, but they’ve not been able to accomplish their original dreams. Even so, they instilled in me the mindset that education equals freedom.

My first encounter with Utah Valley University (UVU) was through a past program called Wolverine Weekend — an overnight stay that the UVU Wolverine Ambassadors hosted to introduce prospective students to their programs and campus. I think people sometimes underestimate what can be accomplished at UVU. Growing up, I never really spoke up or allowed my voice to be heard, so I was underestimated too. In that sense, I identified with UVU and felt at home on campus. Fueled by my desire to obtain further education and to be part of the work and growth at UVU, I enrolled here. 

I’ve done as much as I can to get involved and try to make a difference on campus. For example, I’ve sought to bring awareness to issues students and I are facing, such as having trouble receiving a 1098 tax form due to my status. As a first-generation Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, it was hard not being able to see my family back home in Peru for over 18 years, and I often didn’t feel understood by others. I do, however, see my connection with DACA as a privilege that not every immigrant gets. I decided to help start Dreamers at UVU, a student-led initiative that builds a community for undocumented and “DACAmented” students.

I also joined Wolverine Ambassadors, who also reach out to future students and show them that college is an option for them. Their position and responsibilities spoke to me, so I applied and joined the ambassador program. I loved going to the high schools and telling students — especially students from the Latinx community like me — that despite their previous notions, they could get a university education too.

Digital marketing was my major at first, and then while serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I developed a passion for working with and helping people one on one. I selected family science as my major and applied for a Master of Social Work at UVU. Currently, I’m the president of the Family Science Club. In that capacity, I get to interact with faculty as well as students who are pursuing a similar life path as mine.

Three years ago, I got involved with the Multicultural Student Council. It’s always been a place I can go and completely be myself — no questions asked. In the council, we reach out to other clubs and organizations on campus to start conversations and expose each other to important issues that aren’t easy for many people to talk about, such as police brutality, Black Lives Matter, trans or BIPOC lives, and appropriation versus appreciation. I especially love the council because it has led me to make amazing friends. Now, I’m the co-president of the council.

This year, I joined the Interfaith Student Council. I get to hear perspectives of people from various walks of life — agnostics, atheists, and Jewish people, to name a few. Hearing others share their beliefs and thoughts is enlightening.

I’m currently a presidential intern to Marilyn Meyer, vice president of People and Culture. I help with projects that focus on spreading awareness about the importance of diversity. After I graduate with my bachelor’s, I will pursue a master’s in social work. The community I’m most interested in helping is immigrants and refugees. Because my family are immigrants, I feel a strong connection to this community and would love to give back to them. I also want to help victims of domestic abuse by starting a nonprofit in the Provo or Salt Lake area. 

Throughout my life and my time at UVU, an idea runs through my head often: “Everything happens for a reason.” It wasn’t easy to come to America from Peru and assimilate into a new culture. It hasn’t been easy to face the challenges that come from being undocumented. Acquiring a college education has presented challenges. But I am grateful for these and other experiences because without them, I wouldn’t be who or where I am now.