Senior Spotlight: Kailey Reyes (BA ,'25, Latina/Latino studies and political science with a minor in legal studies)
About Kailey
I am a proud first-generation Latina, and my family is from Jalisco, Mexico. One of my biggest passions is traveling. I have visited six countries so far and soon to be seventh. My goal is to attend law school and become an immigration attorney to help my community.
Why LLS?
I initially took an intro Latina/o Studies class to fulfill a gen-ed requirement, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I made at the U of I. The course opened a whole new perspective on history, movements, and narratives that I had never learned about in high school. LLS has helped me understand the monumental contributions and struggles of our community, many of which parallel today’s events. There is so much more to our history than just Cortez.
Plans after graduation
Once I graduate, I will be working at an immigration law firm in Chicago before I attend law school in Fall 2026. This experience will allow me to deepen my understanding and prepare me for the future.
Advice for undergraduate students
Take more LLS classes even if you’re only slightly interested! There is so much more to learn about Latinos beyond the Conquista. These courses offer perspectives and histories that are often overlooked but are crucial to understanding our community’s past, present, and future.
What are you most proud of accomplishing during your college journey?
Throughout my time at the U of I, I have achieved many things, but what I am most proud of is securing a job at an immigration law firm after graduation and working on an honors thesis. Although, I am still working on it, writing a thesis on a topic I am truly passionate about is something I never imagined myself doing, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my college journey.