WKU News

Anastacia Alvarez (MHC ‘27), a Family Consumer Science Education major and Visual Arts minor, grew up in Bowling Green and has seen HOLAS, the Hilltopper Organization of Latin American Students, blossom from the beginning. Being a mixed Hispanic, Anastacia feels a stronger pull to get involved and connect to her heritage. Finding a place in this community so early on has allowed her to help others find a community. Outside of HOLAS and the MHC, she’s also an active member of the Feminist Student Union and Clay Club on campus. 

While in high school, Anastacia had the opportunity to attend and volunteer at HOLAS events since her father, Dr. Fabián Álvarez, assistant professor of English in the Potter College of Arts & Letters, is the advisor of HOLAS. “I’ve grown up basically around it and so getting to actually be a part of it and more connected with the Hispanic side of me, it really makes me happy” she shares. After her first official year in the organization, and being an active member, she decided to run for an executive board member, and is now the outreach coordinator.  

Being in the Mahurin Honors College has enriched Anastacia’s time at Western even more. “The MHC is very good at uplifting its scholars and being very inclusive… the MHC is a very accepting place” she shares thoughtfully.  

She also helped build the Catalyst Cohort with Office of Scholar Development director Lindsey Houchin. The Catalyst Cohort is a program within the Mahurin Honors College that’s dedicated to mentoring First Generation, Pell-eligible, and minority students toward research and study abroad opportunities. Anastacia worked alongside Lindsey to figure out how to make the program come to life for the next class of Mahurin Honors College scholars – the inaugural cohort began in Fall 2024. A large part of her desire to help with this project comes from her mixed Hispanic identity. “I don’t have that full part of me, it makes me want to connect more with that side” Anastacia shares.  

Anastacia’s story shows how being connected within a community can be powerful.  She urges first year students to get more involved by seeking out programs and talking to the people involved. “Freshman year is a time to get out there and figure things out” she says. We are proud of Anastacia’s contributions on campus and look forward to seeing what she does next!