When Sandra Oñate Muñoz graduated with her bachelor degrees in biology and chemistry in 2019, she wasn’t sure what to do next. With the encouragement of her friends and family, Muñoz realized she wanted to pursue a career as an interpreter, so she returned to NKU to pursue a Master of Public Administration degree.

“I was always very passionate about language justice, because I was an interpreter for my parents for a long time,” she says. “I knew that when I grew up, I wanted to work around hospitals and learn how to help people. I decided to become an interpreter, and began learning about all the difficulties and barriers in healthcare. I also wanted to find out what the nonprofit world had to offer, and the only way to do that in an environment where I felt welcomed and supported was through NKU’s MPA program.”

Born in Mexico, Muñoz grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a child, she spent a lot of time around hospitals once she was diagnosed with congenital glaucoma, a rare condition that can cause vision loss and blindness. When her condition prevented her from participating in her high school marching band, she decided to turn her focus toward academics.

“When I had to completely stop playing instruments, I focused on academics and my whole purpose became getting into college,” Muñoz says. “I started taking more difficult courses, and I found a passion for genetics and biology, and some interest in chemistry, so I decided to pursue those at NKU.”

Muñoz was drawn to NKU because of the research opportunities it offers at the undergraduate level. Since research is a primary component that medical schools look for in applications, she knew she wanted to gain laboratory research experience as soon as possible.

“Other institutions that I considered did have similar opportunities for undergraduates, but I knew preference would be given to graduate students in the lab,” she says. “NKU offered undergraduate research, but I also wanted to take advantage of the convenient location and affordable tuition.”

Muñoz describes herself as a committed person, but says one of the things that motivated her to continue her education at NKU was the community she found on campus. As an undergraduate, she joined Alpha Phi Lambda, the first Latinx co-ed social fraternity at NKU. There, she was able to connect and identify with others in the community while furthering her involvement on campus.

“I was able to spread my wings and find other people that looked like me, that were also Hispanic and pursing a higher education,” says Muñoz. “The best thing about NKU, was being able to find the right place for me. Even in the first few days of being on campus as an undergraduate I never felt like I was alone, and that was very important for me as a first-generation student.”

After serving as the President of Alpha Phi Lambda as an undergraduate, she took on a regional director role while pursuing her master’s degree so she could continue expanding support for the fraternity. Her continued involvement in Alpha Phi Lamba, as well as her service as a Residential Advisor on campus and a qualified medical interpreter at Cincinnati’s trauma I hospital, is a testament to Muñoz’s passion for servicing others.

“Service to others has always been my calling, in whatever way that may look,” she says. “I know that post-grad is going to look different, so as I’m transitioning to my career phase, as long as it’s all about service and being of service to others, that’s where I want to be.”

After graduating with her degree, Muñoz is looking forward to finally taking some time to relax by spending time with her family and going on long walks with her dog, Maggie.