Los Angeles native and junior Sofia Reyes gravitated toward Pepperdine to be close to her family and express her creativity as a film and English major. After learning about the Latinx Student Association, she knew there was a space for her to create and contribute.
Reyes is the president of LSA, a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Panhellenic, a DJ on KWVS, a member of the Crossroads e-board and has restarted the Feminist Club. Her main goal is to create a space to celebrate people’s identities and to grow herself through her four years.
“I have a lot of internal moments of ‘I don’t know if I can do all this, I don’t know if I am doing things correctly or doing things right,’” Reyes said. “But you just have to keep having the intention that you know what you’re doing, and eventually you learn and you grow.”
Growing up in a Latinx household with Spanish as her first language, Reyes said attending a predominantly white school like Pepperdine intimidated her. But with her parents encouraging her creativity, she knew she wanted to stay in Los Angeles.
Reyes has been involved with LSA on the executive board since her first year, and has served as president since her sophomore year. She said it takes up most of her time, but is also her biggest blessing.
Reyes said her main goal regarding LSA was to facilitate a safe space for Latinx and Hispanic students at Pepperdine and to create an active community.
“Something that everyone could get involved with, and something that everyone could celebrate,” Reyes said.
Sofia Reyes’ best friend and roommate is Fatima Reyes. Though not related to Sofia, she said she found a sister in her to navigate college life with, whether they are watching Harry Styles at the Forum, or interning at the Cannes Film Festival.
“She is always on top of all her tasks and it is really amazing to see how she does it all with so much strength,” Fatima Reyes said. “She cares about all the things she puts her energy into.”
Despite her involvement, as a first-generation college student, Sofia Reyes said she dealt with imposter syndrome at the start of her college journey.
During sorority recruitment, Sofia Reyes said she felt like others knew more than her about the right things to say or do.
“I said ‘I’m just gonna walk in there and be myself and hope for the best,’ which worked out,” Sofia Reyes said. “I’ve been better at asking for help when I need it.”
Sofia Reyes said she is often asked how she finds the time and balances all her tasks on top of school. She tends to be an overachiever and overbooks herself.
“A big thing has been learning to be a more open and honest person and that’s why I’m so grateful for the wonderful e-board that I work with because when I need help, they’re there to help me,” Sofia Reyes said.
Sofia Reyes’ sorority little, sophomore Emi Escobar, said she leaned on Sofia Reyes heavily during a turbulent time abroad when she wasn’t sure if she would be able to finish the semester. They also found safety in each other on campus.
“’I’m always going to her apartment and asking her for advice, it’s basically like having family on campus,” Escobar said. “She’s my big in my sorority, but also basically my big sister.”
Sofia Reyes’ peers said they have seen firsthand how her advice and leadership bring people together and the change she’s made on campus, making it a better place — one day at a time.
“What I want to be remembered for at Pepperdine is a person who cared a lot about building community and for the communities I helped in the smallest way,” Sofia Reyes said. “As time goes on, I want Pepperdine to become a more inclusive and welcoming place for everyone.”
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Email Beth Gonzales: beth.gonzales@pepperdine.edu
