Take a moment to get to know Cecy Zubia.
Tell us about yourself. Hello! I am Cecy Zubia. I am originally from Northwest Arkansas, and yes, at heart I am a Hogs fan. When I am home in Arkansas, I live with my mom, little brother, and dog Gunter, also I have an older brother and sister. Coming from my Mexican heritage I am very family oriented person and with the beautiful, loving, and supportive family. They have always pushed me to become the best person I can be.
Being the first in my family to go to college is an honor and a privilege that I am given by my family. I always do this more for them than me because I feel that it is only right after everything they have given me. Each person in my intermediate family has poured themselves into me to be able to take on this chapter in my life.
At Missouri State I am majoring in Political Science with a double minor in Criminology and Psychology. I am passionate about all these subjects. What really brought me to the path of Political science is the striving to help minorities. As a minority myself I know the struggles of discrimination and the injustices that come from it. I plan to be a Civil Rights Attorney, and later hopefully be a member of Congress making change. 
What have you been involved with on campus? In the 23-24 academic year, I have become a part of Student Government as a senator under the Diversity and Inclusion committee. It has been a wonderful experience helping make decisions around campus and moving Missouri State in the right direction.
I have been involved in Bears LEAD since my first year on campus. It has been a great resource and supportive place for first gen students like me. I have made great connections and friends along the way. I am also on the Student Advisory Board for Student Affairs; this is a board of students that really dive in with Dr. Siscoe, Vice President of Student Affairs, about the issues or ideas that students around campus have voiced. The board is more of the speakers for students on campus in that sense. I am happy to say that our voices have been heard, and I am glad to be on a board that gets things done.
I also have Inclusive Excellence, which is a scholarship on campus. It keeps me involved with community work, making good connections, and friends along the way. Everyone I have met in this scholarship comes with similar backgrounds. I also work for Student Affairs in the Vice President’s office with Dr. Siscoe and Peggy Jones. Over the last year and a half working with them has opened a vast number of doors for me, which I am grateful for because of them. I love my coworkers as well and I am glad to have such a lovely work environment with great people. This being said, I also work partly with SOAR under Priscilla Childress more specifically in the Transfer Student area collecting information on how we can make the transition for students easier.
You just started a new group on campus. Tell us about the group. My organization is Ursi Latinx we are the only Latinx organization on campus. The name of the organization came from our amazing advisor Dr. Martinez. The word Ursi means bear in Latin. This group is focused on making a home Latinx students’ campus, since in Latino culture family is the at the center of everything. We wanted to bring that to Missouri State.
We also focus on sharing and spreading the word of our culture and heritage to everyone on campus. This group is for anyone wanting to educate themselves and have fun learning about our cultures. My personal goal as President of the organization is to make this organization feel like family for everyone involved. I hope to make this organization bigger as times progresses. I want Missouri State to know Latinx students are here, and our voices, opinions, and culture are here to stay.
For students wanting to get involved they can start by coming to the events and meetings! We also have an Instagram account with a LinkTree in the bio for information about events, GroupMe, and more. Consistency matters to not only me but to my amazing board members as well, especially if someone wants to be a board member. The board is always looking for those special dedicated members.
What made you want to start a new group on campus? The first year I felt out of place being here on campus. In Rogers Arkansas I went to a middle school and high school with at least half the population at each school being Latino. Then when I came here it was culture shock not seeing anyone that looked like me. It seriously made me homesick, and at many points I considered transferring to the University of Arkansas to be able to be around my friends and family.
Once I did find the one other Latina on campus, it did not feel right that we felt so alone. I had friends that started organizations and were incredibly involved in school. Soon I started integrating myself into that world. In meetings or anytime I was asked what I wanted more of on campus, and I said a Latinx organization. I feel like people brushed it off. That never stuck well with me, and I was determined to have a community one way or another. If not transferring was seriously my next option.
With that my good friend J Torres reached out to me about a meeting for Latinx students. I did not know what it entailed but I also convinced my other friend Sheny Delgado to come with me. That is where Dr. Martinez pitched the idea of Ursi Latinx with such a passion, and I was head over heels ready to get involved. When she asked us for who wanted what position I shot my hand up wanting the President position. Now J is my Vice President, and Sheny my Public Relations. Vivian Rodriguez as Director of Events and Bianca Guzman as our Secretary. Truly a fine group of individuals I could not be blessed to have not only as cabinet members but friends as well.
What has been the hardest part of college for you? There as so many things when it comes to this question. One thing is being away from my family and growing up without them. In so many ways I have grown, and I feel like being far away from them there’s this guilt and disconnect. I am so glad that I am getting an education and being able to experience things they never have, but I as a Latina there is this sense of duty I feel to always stay with my family. Navigating a new place myself has been a part of that struggle as well. Making new friends, and creating my path are the type of growing pains I never expected to cry about, but I am glad to be able to experience them.
You’re a Bears LEAD Mentor. Tell us what you do as a Bears LEAD Mentor. As a Bears LEAD mentor, I help with the activities we do at our meetings while also helping students with information on campus. If a student wants to feel like they really got their true college experience join things! It is better to say, “I said yes to this and that” rather than “I stayed in my dorm all day”.
Get used to saying yes to the things that make you nervous. It feels like a roller coaster ride that is good. Do not leave college with the “what if?” No, do it and have fun while doing it. Especially going to events alone or clubs alone, DO IT! I think once students start getting involved in those ways, they learn more about themselves.
What is your favorite Missouri State tradition? Why? I love the Belong BBQ in the beginning of the fall semester because there are so many diverse organizations there! All the free food and things you can get during that day, the atmosphere is enticing to be around. I love seeing the diverse sororities and fraternities perform as well.
What advice do you have for our family members? Let your young students explore college life, and trust that they will make the right decisions. I am not saying it will be the easiest thing. I should since I come from a very protective family, but they let me spread my wings. Make sure to send them money for a good meal sometimes too.
What advice do you have for our students? Say yes to new experiences! Do not live with the “what if”. I tell you when you look back at a camera roll from 6 months to the present and see the growth of a new person, be happy.
Make sure to use all the resources you can on campus because you are entitled to your education and future! If no one tells you I am immensely proud of you!