Born and raised in Phoenix in a single-parent household, Mauricio Juarez Leon faced struggles growing up that included poverty, malnutrition, domestic abuse and limited resource access. And at the Title I schools he attended, most of his classmates had no plans to go on to college.
However, rather than succumbing to these challenges, they only fueled Juarez Leon’s determination to pursue higher education.
“Growing up, I faced challenges that made education feel like both a privilege and a responsibility,” he said. “I realized early on that each step in my education was a chance to change my narrative and defy the odds.”
Today, Juarez Leon is a thriving senior sustainability student at Arizona State University. He is also the first in his immediate family — and only the second in his family’s history — to attend college.
ASU is a FirstGen Forward institution, one of the inaugural universities to be honored with this distinction, and every November the university highlights the achievements of students and alumni through its National First-Generation College Celebration.
According to FirstGen Forward, only around 24% of first-generation college students complete a bachelor’s degree within six years, compared with 59% of students whose parents attended college.
“Statistically speaking, I’m not supposed to be in this position at all, especially considering my background as a first-generation Latino student who grew up poor,” Juarez Leon said.
His educational journey took shape during his junior year of high school when he attended a presentation by an ASU School of Sustainability alum. That’s when Juarez Leon realized the impact of policies on achieving sustainable changes for marginalized communities, which in turn inspired him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in sustainability at the School of Sustainability, an academic unit of the College of Global Futures at ASU.
Through his studies, he realized that many of the struggles he and his mom faced while he was growing up were intertwined with sustainability issues.
“One thing I learned at ASU that truly surprised me was how deeply interconnected sustainability is with social justice,” he said.
This insight led him to add certificates in Energy and Sustainability and International Business, broadening the focus of his sustainability degree.
“Because ASU has an interdisciplinary focus, it has allowed me to merge my passions for policy and climate solutions, ensuring that I’m prepared to work within government and international organizations to create lasting, impactful changes,” he said.
Now, Juarez Leon is a community leader advocating for a sustainable, equitable future through policy and community engagement. And his work is getting recognition; he was awarded the 2023 Neighborhood Award from the Tempe City Council for his sustainability efforts in serving local communities.
He also serves as a youth engagement coordinator at RCE Greater Phoenix, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable development through youth advocacy. In addition, he was a policy member on the U.S. Youth Advisory for the UN Ocean Decade, working on environmental policy analysis, and he interned at the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, where he researched energy efficiency practices in business operations.
And he’s giving back to his fellow students, too. In his role as the president of ASU’s Honor Society for Sustainability, Juarez Leon has worked closely with alumni, organizations and the College of Global Futures Career Services team to equip students with professional tools to navigate their future careers.
Reflecting on his success, Juarez Leon expressed gratitude for those who supported him, including his mom, who prioritized his education, and ASU mentors like Alejandra Enriquez-Gonzalez and Anita Verdugo Tarango, who encouraged him to embrace his Latino heritage.
“I don’t take that for granted,” he said. “I actively seek experiences that challenge me, understanding that my success could pave the way for others like me.”
After graduation, he aims to influence climate policy on a national and global scale, hoping to work within government agencies or nonprofit organizations. His ultimate dream is to join the United Nations, focusing on climate policies that ensure equitable and affordable energy access.
Juarez Leon emphasizes the importance of reaching out to ASU’s support system and working closely with advisors. Throughout his ASU journey, he has consistently connected with academic, engagement and career advisors more times than he can count, he said.
And to other first-generation students who are considering a career in sustainability and environmental policy, he has this advice:
“Be bold in advocating for change and use your voice to speak up for the communities that need it most,” he said. “Your story matters, and it can inspire others to make a difference.”
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