Success Story: Meet Alejandro
A Journey from Mexico to St. Augustine College
At St. Augustine College, every student’s journey is unique. From balancing work and family to navigating a new language and culture, our alumni show how determination paired with support can transform lives. In this spotlight, we speak with Alejandro De La Luz, a proud alumnus and current Director of Workforce Development, about his experience, challenges, and advice for future students.
“When I first came here from Mexico, I didn’t speak much English,” Alejandro De La Luz remembers. “St. Augustine was one of the few places that made me feel like I could actually belong—like it was okay to start where I was.”
His early life had been split between two cultures. Born in Los Angeles in the early 1990s, he spent his formative years in Mexico City, completing high school and college there. He moved to Chicago in 2017, following his family, and was accepted to UIC. But the rigid schedule didn’t fit, as he needed flexibility, support, and work that UIC couldn’t provide.
That’s when his mother suggested St. Augustine College, a school she knew well as someone working in adult education in the Chicago area. The moment he met with an academic advisor, Alejandro felt a shift when he learned about the services St. Augustine could provide. Evening classes, small class sizes, and academic advisors meant he could balance work, family, and studying. He decided to enroll.
He ultimately pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, drawn to the subject through his family’s background: a grandfather who ran businesses and a father in operations and project management. At St. Augustine, he found more than just academic training. He found a community that understood his needs and supported his trajectory.
St. Augustine’s “Spanish First, English Second” model gave him space to build academic confidence in his native language while gradually immersing himself in English. St. Augustine supports students through adult education, ESL programming, and bilingual coursework.
When Alejandro transferred in, his advisors helped him translate transcripts, explained different academic paths, and supported his transition into degree work. This personalized, hands-on advising made a huge difference.
While still a student, Alejandro landed an internship at a Small Business Development Center through the Chicago Chamber of Commerce. Everything was in English, but a mentor encouraged him to lean into that discomfort. Speaking English daily, tying his coursework to real-world projects, and turning his homework into valuable work experience meant he could advance his professional abilities.
After graduating, he joined St. Augustine College as a faculty member, eventually becoming the Director of Workforce Development. He now leads programs in vocational training, pre-apprenticeships, and partnerships with funders. His work is rooted in helping students like him who are balancing their lives and academic dreams.
He reflects on his path with gratitude: walking between class and his office, seeing students, and feeling proud that the support that shaped him is now part of his work. For him, St. Augustine’s strength lies in its flexibility, its bilingual foundation, and its commitment to student-centered growth.
