In high school, I knew I wanted to go to a small liberal arts college with an open curriculum, where I could have control over what I studied, and where I'd be surrounded by like-minded students. My English teacher recommended Grinnell, and I applied. Grinnell was one of the first schools to send me a reply. I visited campus soon after, and I immediately felt safe, comfortable, and empowered to shape my own education. The ability to see myself as a student at Grinnell convinced me to put down my deposit before I had even spent a night in a dorm room.
Eva’s Journey
Name
Eva Román Aguilera ’22
Major
Spanish and Latin American Studies
Hometown
Chicago, Illinois
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Peer Connections Pre-Orientation Program
The Peer Connections Pre-Orientation Program (PCPOP) gave me the opportunity to explore what my experience as a first-generation woman of color would be like at a predominantly white institution like Grinnell. It was the first time I explored my identities and the powers that come with them. PCPOP taught me what resources were available to me and others like me and made it much easier to adjust to Grinnell and be happy. The friends I made in PCPOP are still my closest friends to date. I came back as a PCPOP mentor for other first-year students the following year. It was extremely rewarding to pass on teachings and see a new class of PCPOP Grinnellians find their place on our campus.
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Building Community
![6 students dress for the party pose on interior stairs](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_1/public/images/2022-06/COMMBUILD4.jpeg?itok=yvdCvWLM)
![5 students crowded on a be with a sign taped to the wall behind them that says Happy Birthday Eva](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/COMMBUILD3.jpeg?itok=wwsHENto)
![a circle of students looking down to the camera with for the most part only their eyes and hair visible](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/COMMBUILD5.jpeg?itok=0cWJ_YKF)
![a plate full of food](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/COMMBUILD6--%20SOL%20Potluck.jpeg?itok=VzSn6fRp)
![a crowd of adults of all ages standing in front of a stage with the American flag prominently displayed](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/COMMBUILD7_presidential%20visits.jpeg?itok=FNic0l1e)
![Two women in black dresses and heels on the dance floor with a crowd and windows with lights in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/COMMBUILD8_spring%20waltz.jpeg?itok=IxEz1KPw)
![Group of four students dressed up for Winter Waltz](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/COMMBUILD9_winterwaltz.jpeg?itok=VABIhqOE)
![Eva gets a big hug from a friend outside the house at night](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/COMMBUILD2.jpeg?itok=up1A_k7i)
![a selfie of five smiling students](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/COMMBUILD1-cc.jpg?itok=6TTXqA4d)
A key aspect of my Grinnell experience has been building an intentional community. I found a great core group of friends from both PCPOP and my first-year floor mates. We were all navigating the same new experiences, difficulties, hardships, and successes together, and those bonds have lasted all the way to our fourth years. Whether it has been grabbing dinner, studying late at night in a classroom, or going to events on the weekends, I have always been surrounded by people who are looking out for me, who support me, and who I can see myself reflected in. The College facilitates so many events that helped me and my friends feel comfortable and build community.
Exploring Iowa
![Eva and friend eating fair food at a street festival with splash on the sit that says national Hispanic heritage month](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/EXPLOREIOWA-1.jpeg?itok=dRpPi2vX)
![White text on red sign says Iowa! For some reason you have to come here to be president.](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/EXPLOREIOWA-2.jpeg?itok=qytt25lO)
![Eva at a cross walk with Heritage Festival tents in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/EXPLOREIOWA3_0.jpeg?itok=cBTsAHqA)
![On person takes a picture of her and two friends in a gold framed wall mirror](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/EXPLOREIOWA4-rotd.jpg?itok=tht4JGD9)
![Mural of a woman and flower in the background with two parking meters and a car in the foreground](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/EXPLOREIOWA5-rotd.jpg?itok=obJzKQEI)
![Noyce Science Center on a snowy winter evening with the glow of the setting sun to the west](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/SKYOWA1.jpeg?itok=soxIN8SC)
![The prairie at sunset](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/SKYOWA2.jpeg?itok=EuyKbrxM)
![A view of Grinnell during a winter sunset from the edge of the Grinnell College campus](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/SKYOWA3.jpeg?itok=1tT_eSOg)
![Fall scene south of Steiner Hall with a tree half-covered with red and orange leaves and fallen leaves scattered at the base](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/SKYOWA4.jpeg?itok=kwdWOypA)
![Campus at sunset](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/SKYOWA5.jpeg?itok=L8Al6nBP)
![Night view of south campus lit up on a winter night, taken from across 8th ave and the railroad tracks](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/SKYOWA6-rotd.jpg?itok=g9eMZf01)
![Noyce Science Center on a winter night](/sites/default/files/styles/nar_img_carousel_column_small/public/images/2022-06/SKYOWA7-rotd.jpg?itok=tGZWfXjC)
When I first got to Grinnell, it took me no more than 30 seconds to realize that I was in rural Iowa, a major change from growing up in Chicago. I thought that I would be bored out of my mind, but I quickly realized how exciting and refreshing Iowa can be. Whether it’s discovering restaurants in downtown Des Moines or Iowa City, seeing the beauty of the prairie and the sunsets (#Skyowa), or just going on Walmart runs at 10 p.m. on a Tuesday, I learned that Iowa has a lot to offer! Being home during the pandemic especially made me realize how much I had left to explore in Iowa, and I’m still discovering new places as a fourth year!
Research
Throughout my four years, I have explored the same research topics from the perspectives of many classes and disciplines. At first, I was particularly interested in the economic and political implications of gender-based violence and femicide in Latin America, particularly the vulnerability of Indigenous and afro-descendent populations. I have further explored this topic through political and judicial lenses, studying the constitutionality of these issues and the internal and international implications for the region. The capstone for my Latin American studies concentration ended up being a 40-page paper on the subject, which I completed my third year.
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Finishing Fourth Year
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Coming back to campus after not being here for over a year was a bit daunting. However, my fourth year was filled with love, laughter, and many attempts to cook food but failing to put the right amount of salt in it. In my fourth and final year, I also spent my time as a Vivero fellow and mentor for the Digital Humanities Laboratory, through which traveled to Spain over spring break with a Spanish seminar class and aid with technology.
Post-Grad
After Grinnell, I headed straight to Chicago as financial control analyst at Goldman Sachs! As a first-gen student, I am grateful for how Grinnell's career center helped me navigate my job search. I'm really thankful for the opportunities and doors Grinnell has opened for me.
If you enjoyed this story and want to engage further with the Office of Admission, you can request information, explore the Admission events and opportunities, or connect with the Admission interns directly.