Franklin Ortega-Palaguachi
Latinx Resource Center Manager
My name is Franklin Ortega Palaguachi and I serve as the Latinx Resource Center Manager at Waubonsee Community College. I was born and raised in Ecuador, where I lived for 17 years. I started my education journey in a little Escuelita named Juan Jose Salinas in my Ranchito Corralon. I attended four years of high school, in mi colegio Javier Loyola. These institutions are in Cañar province of Ecuador.
Moving to the United States for the American dream, I had to learn English and work full time to help my family while I started high school as an ESL (English Second Language) student. Later, my only choice and the best choice was to continue my education at Oakton Community College. Thanks to mentors and a few people who believed in me I was able to successfully pass my developmental courses (English and Math) and complete my transfer course in three years.
Already at Northeastern, I wanted to be involved in activities and leadership initiatives. During my undergraduate years at NEIU, I was a Student Trustee, McNair Scholar, and participated in various organizations focused on leadership and the success of students of color. Also, I am proud to be one of the Founders of Phi Iota Alpha fraternity, Beta Phi Chapter.
My involvement at NEIU and the valuable support I received from faculty mentorship helped me appreciate higher education and choose this wonderful path as a career. After graduation, I received my Master's in Educational Leadership, Higher Education Administration from the same institution.
After a few years, I came to Waubonsee's Latinx Resource Center with experience working in various private and public universities and community college institutions. I worked on student retention initiatives, mentoring programs, and multicultural spaces. In addition, I have created programs to support students to help them transition from high school to college and to create inclusive support for undocumented students.
A couple of fun facts about me: I love dancing Folklore music from Ecuador and Latinx rhythms. Also, I love exports (running and soccer being my favorites).
Education:
- B.A. in Latino and Latin America Studies, minor in Social Justice from Northeastern Illinois University.
- M.A. Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern Illinois University.
- Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.
Araceli Muñoz Salazar
Latinx Engagement Coordinator
My name is Araceli Muñoz Salazar and I serve as a Latinx Engagement Coordinator at the Latinx Resource Center at Waubonsee Community College. I was born in Chicago and grew up in Melrose Park. I come from a proud background of two Mexican Immigrant parents from Jerez, Zacatecas.
Spanish was my first language growing up and I was briefly an ESL student in my first elementary school until I learned English. I am proudly Bilingual, and Spanish has allowed me to not only communicate with my family and community, but also immerse myself in my culture and appreciate Latin American music, TV, and literature.
I received my B.A. at Western Illinois University where I was a student activist and active member of Casa Latina. I held several leadership roles such as President of the Latin American Student Organization, Vice President of Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority Inc., as well as served on several programming planning committees for Casa Latina. During this time, I interned the WIU special archives where I aided with the digital archive of Casa Latina. In 2019 I represented Casa Latina for Homecoming Royalty, winning Homecoming Royalty as the first Latina woman at WIU. Finally, I joined Western Illinois Dreamers as a Navigator where I taught Immigration and DACA basics in classrooms and created informational videos of the most current immigration updates. Because of my work on campus, I received the WIU Excellence in Diversity Education Award, as well as the Outstanding Executive Board Member Award, and W. Garry Johnson for Excellence in Student Governance Award.
Before my current role, I was working as a Bilingual Legal Advocate at a domestic violence shelter serving Kane County and the Northwest suburbs of Cook County. At this same shelter I was also a Case Manager where I worked with shelter residents and community members. In this role, I became ICDVP, Inc. 40-hour trained on Domestic and Sexual Violence and gained experience of working with trauma victims and other vulnerable communities.
Some of my hobbies include writing, specifically poetry. I started writing poetry in my undergraduate, focusing on my identities and issues about the Latinx community. In 2020 I had the honor of winning 1st place in the College Poetry Category for the 5th annual Spanglish Creative Writing Contest held by the University of New Mexico, for my poem “Alienated”. In the summer of 2022, I had my poem “Ojos Tristes” published in “Palabritas” Vol. 2 Issue 1, by Harvard University Latinx literary publishing group, Palabritas.
Erika Iñiguéz, (she/ella)
Latinx Engagement Coordinator
My name is Erika Iñiguéz, and I am one of the Latinx Engagement Coordinators. I was born in Mexico City to parents from Michoacán (mom) and Queretaro, México (dad). After my dad settled in “Aurorita la Bella,” (Aurora, the city of lights), my mother and I joined him.
Being a first-generation student after high school, I was unsure about my future until my dad encouraged me to pursue college, even though neither of us knew much about the college process. What led me to start my college journey at Waubonsee Community, was my dad, as he was taking English as a second language classes at Waubonsee. He said, ‘Hija, you should go to Waubonsee and see how they can help you.”
While being a student at WCC, I joined the Latinos Unidos (LU) student club where I met some amazing people that to this day I keep in contact. One of the people that I met while in LU ended up being my college roommate when she and I transferred to the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). At UIC I earned a BA majoring in Communications.
I have worked in higher education for over 20 years, 15 of those years serving students here at Waubonsee Community, in areas such as Admissions, Counseling and Advising, and TRIO/Support Services. Supporting students as they go through their Waubonsee journey and seeing all their accomplishments and then going on to their transfer school or going into the workforce has been one of my greatest honors.
Fun Facts about me: I used to be a vocalist for a band that performed music in Spanish, the likes of Selena and Los Dinos, Limite and others. I enjoy spending time with my family! My husband and I have two amazing daughters who are on their college journey, and our family dog, Giarsol (Sunflower) (she is a Yorkie Maltase).
Daisy Sanchez
Graduate Intern
My name is Daisy Sanchez, I’m a proud first-generation Mexican American, born and raised in Aurora, Illinois. My educational journey began at West Aurora High School, where I graduated in 2015, and continued at Waubonsee Community College, where I earned my associate degree in 2017. I later transferred to Augustana College and graduated in 2019 with my bachelor's degree in communication studies. As a former Waubonsee student, I understand firsthand the importance of accessible resources and supportive learning environments.
Currently, I work as a Bilingual Admissions Advisor at Waubonsee Community College, supporting students as they navigate their pathway after high school. I am also a mentor for CAMINOS at Waubonsee, where I work closely with my mentee to provide guidance, encouragement, and connection to campus resources. Since October 2021, I have also volunteered at Rush Copley Medical Center, where I assist patients and their families in helping to bridge language barriers. These experiences have reinforced my belief that student success begins when students feel seen, supported, and encouraged, especially in spaces that promote learning and growth.
I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Higher Education at Northeastern Illinois University. Behind every step that I have taken in my academic and professional life, it has been shaped by the sacrifices of my parents and the mentors who have helped guide me along the way. My hope is to be able to provide students with the tools to guide them through their higher education and more.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
— Nelson Mandela
