Luis Navarro

   Luis Navarro arrived in the United States from Venezuela at the age of 17. Within three months, he was tackling a full course load at North Shore Community College (NSCC), navigating a new language and culture, and working to help support his family. A full plate for some, but not for Luis! A musician, he saw the need for a place for campus musicians to share their knowledge and forge bonds, so he created a Music Club, taking on all of the administrative work needed to create a new entity. With that experience and a growing desire to help others, Luis helped to launch the First-Generation Club, designed to help those students acclimate to NSCC.

   Additionally, Luis served as Chief of Staff of the Student Government Association, primarily liaising with and advising the presidents of campus organizations how to best fulfill their purposes. He was very committed to the TRIO Programs at NSCC, which are designed to assist first generation and low-income students, by recruiting other students and helping with programs. He also served as Vice-President of the Multicultural Society and helped with the mobile market for food-insecure students. Luis received numerous awards at NSCC, including four Distinguished Service Awards and the Lisa Milso Award for service and dedication to the student government.

   Having earned his Associate’s Degree in December 2019, Luis transferred to Suffolk University to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in the multidisciplinary major Political Science, Philosophy and Economics. Now at a four-year college, Luis qualifies for a Phillips Scholarship award. Despite starting Suffolk during a semester truncated due to COVID-19, he is already, of course, involved in campus life. Luis was honored to sing and play the National Anthem on his guitar at the NSCC commencement in May 2020. It is a breathtaking rendition of this patriotic song by one of the country’s newest citizens.