Miguel Fuentes ’26
Name: Miguel Fuentes
Pronouns: He/They
Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico
Major: Chemistry
Extracurricular Involvement: Quest
Email: [email protected]
Why did you join the Diversity and Access Team?
I joined DAT because I was in look for community. Having a space where you can find people with similar backgrounds as you — especially in a PWI — is priceless! This community is not only a space where you can find those people but also an opportunity to reach out to prospective students that share similarities with all the interns here and give a hand that we all needed at the moment of navigating a system and process that was not made for us. I also wanted to make an impact on my time here at Trinity and this is how I am approaching that!
What is the biggest lesson you learned from your first semester on campus?
If you don’t find a space for you make it and use the resources that you have available to you! Trinity is a school that has a lot of resources that help you succeed, and it is on us to make spaces and utilize those resources to be able to make the most out of our experience here at Trinity. This can look in many different ways, like starting a new club, doing research, being part of the orientation programs, etc.!
How has a liberal arts education fostered your thinking?
Liberal arts education is still a new and amazing world to me. It is really different from where I come from, and it is truly a way to expand your knowledge and awareness of the world we live in while at the same time focusing on what you are passionate about. For example, I am a Chemistry major but at the same time I am taking a bunch of International Studies courses just because I am interested in the subject; and it has helped me a lot to understand better the way that the world works and things I can do to help my community. All of this outside my bubble of pipettes and flasks. Liberal arts education is a way to have a more holistic education when it is more important.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I want to have an impact on this school by facilitating and starting new projects with the things I do. It is interesting to think about this halfway on my education here and look back and see what I have done to accomplish this. Don’t get me wrong, it is not easy. However, by utilizing the resources that the school has and with the help of different organisms already established like DAT and QUEST, this task becomes a little easier. I am really passionate about what I do on campus, and I am working towards having projects established on all these things that I do that hopefully will last even after I leave and will stay to help students that also struggled — or not — navigating this system and process that sometimes is scary, and they can make the most out of their experience at Trinity College.
How has the city of Hartford impacted your college experience?
Hartford, I believe, is a hidden gem. It took me time to burst out of my Trinity bubble but when I did, I was pleasantly surprised of what surrounds our school. Restaurants, parades, museums, libraries, people, and many other things make this place special and amazing to go to school here. During summer when you have research from 9-5 is nice to have a walk out in the streets and just have a good time around. Also, the class Hispanic Hartford has opened my eyes and has helped me to see Hartford on a different lens through history and stories of people. If you doubt me just go to “Aquí me quedo” restaurant on Park St. and have a conversation with someone, you will not be disappointed! This has impacted my college experience because it is just an environment that fosters learning and exploration wherever you look around.
What areas of campus make you feel at home?
Hard question but I think that the chemistry department library and my lab feel most at home when I need to study. However, if I want to hang out with my friends and it is a nice day out, we go to the main quad or if it is cold we go to the Underground café or Peter B’s café. Or even my room if I want some alone time!
