Creating a Legacy

Hugo Aleman is a first-generation college student at Taylor University studying communications with a concentration in multimedia journalism. He grew up on the Northwest side of Chicago and graduated from Phoenix Military Academy High School. He mentioned that God led him to Taylor University because he wanted to grow spiritually.

Not only was he growing in his spiritual journey, but he also was figuring out his career passion. Hugo originally started as a pre-med major but realized it wasn’t his true calling, so he took a few communications and history classes and found his passion. “Last year, I took a few government, law, and history classes. I found out I’m passionate about law. I love reading and getting to know people, talking to people, and helping people. Law and communication go hand and hand with each other. A lawyer needs to get his point across, and be communicative, empathetic, sympathetic, and understand the importance of the circumstances at hand. I’m studying for the LSAT and I couldn't be more grateful for the communications department at Taylor. They are some of the best people I ever met and the amount of help that I’ve gotten from them has been a lot of help,” said Aleman. 

After Hugo takes the LSAT, his goal is to return to Chicago to pursue criminal law because that’s where he feels the most connected. “I feel like there are so many people who are misrepresented. I think there are so many cases in Chicago where people aren’t heard. I think as a city we put money towards things we don’t need compared to the mental health community, and education for kids,” said Aleman. “I want to [reinvest] my time in Chicago, the kids especially [because] I hate seeing people go down the wrong path. I had so many friends in high school who unfortunately went down certain areas of life that I wouldn’t wish for anybody. I want to use my education for good and for my city, I feel like I owe it to them. ”

By being first-generation, Hugo is inspired to pursue higher education due to continuing his family legacy. “I have a lot of cousins back in Guatemala that went to college, they became deans of universities, lawyers, computer engineers, etc. Just seeing that and what they can achieve back at home and just having that inspiration from them has pushed me. Something that has pushed me a lot, which is [Common] in Latino households, is carrying the name of your family. My pride goes back to my grandpa and grandma, so everything I do is to honor them. And I try my best to Pursue a life that they would want to see their grandchildren living,” said Aleman. 

Hugo’s inspiration also comes from his mom and younger brothers to get to the finish line to create his legacy. “My mom has been one of the greatest inspirations in my life. Getting to know her story and what she's been through, inspired me to pursue and keep pushing. When I feel down or complain about stuff, I look back on my mom, and my family's story and what they've been through, and [my problems] are nothing compared to what they've been through. My brother is pursuing a degree at Depaul University and my younger brother is a junior at Phoenix Military Academy…just seeing how they are doing in school made me feel so accomplished. To me, their accomplishments make me more happy than [what] I accomplished. So being that inspiration for them and them being that inspiration for me has pushed me to pursue higher education,” said Aleman. 

From his family, school, and church, Hugo has a wave of support along his college journey. Hugo mentioned that Pursue Scholars has also been a support system by creating everlasting friendships and gaining mentorship through the program. “At Taylor when I’m feeling homesick seeing my friends and the other scholars from Pursue brightens up my day when I need that taste of home. It also taught me how to be such a good friend and how to be there for people. I feel like I owe Pursue everything because it’s given me an opportunity I can’t ever pay back and It’s been such a blessing. Kevin has been such a figure for me and a role model. Just seeing the resilience he carried on during my early college years pushed me to keep going even when I don’t want that,” said Aleman. 

While Hugo is in his senior year, he describes it as bittersweet but it has been a great educational experience overall, and can’t wait to bring his skills back to the city he cares about and loves. “I feel like everyone strives for success here at Taylor, so it pushes me to be better, it’s healthy competition. It just pushes me to strive for more success, seeing how everybody pursues their careers. Just being able to take what I can, absorb everything I can from the education I have here, and having that hunger to pour into my community,” said Aleman. 

Stories like Hugo's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.