Leeslie Herrera brings her Mexican American heritage to MSU's homecoming court

EAST LANSING - Leeslie Herrera has traveled to an Illinois farm every summer for three years, sometimes to husk corn and prepare its grain, other times to pollinate for future growth.

Her family's connections to a Texan contractor opened doors for the agriculture work ensuring better pay and secure housing. The demanding job also motivated Herrera to graduate from Michigan State University.

"It's a constant reminder that when I'm in school and feeling drained, it's manageable," said Herrera, who is on track to receive her degree next spring during an academic year that includes her serving on MSU's homecoming court.

Herrera is scheduled to join 11 other court members for this week's homecoming affairs and the 4 p.m. Saturday MSU vs. Wisconsin football game at Spartan Stadium.

More:How former Badger Mel Tucker keeps his focus for Michigan State's game vs. Wisconsin

Herrera said there are receptions, parades and other festivities planned. MSU requires the homecoming court to wear similar outfits with the university's green and white colors.

Homecoming has given Herrera the chance to show all who she is as a student-farm worker, first-generation student and Mexican American.

"Being part of the homecoming court is being the representation of farm-working Latinx students, first-generation students and stuff like that," she said. "That's what it means to me."

Luis Garcia, who works with MSU's migrant students, wrote the recommendation letter that landed Herrera on the homecoming court. He said MSU's College Assistance Migrant Program drew Herrera to the East Lansing campus. The program assists about 60 migrant students and farm workers per freshman class.

"Leeslie, from the beginning, has been a student who's been outstanding and engaged in the community, with other students while also taking care of her academic studies," Garcia said.

Garcia said he's impressed that Herrera is getting her degree within three years as she balanced academics and farm work.

Herrera's family lives in Reynosa, Mexico, and Mission, Texas. She said it's difficult for them to live in the border area because of a rise in anti-immigrant sentiments.

"It's really hard living in a border town not knowing what's going to happen tomorrow," she said.

She came to MSU after graduating with an associate degree in criminal justice from South Texas College in 2020, a first in her family. She attained the degree through a high school program.

"My mom didn't finish high school and my dad didn't finish middle school, so it's a big step from what my parents accomplished to where I'm at now," Herrera said.

Herrera is pursuing a criminal justice degree and a minor in Chicano/Latino studies after seeing how dire situations can get with financial insecurity and how people may turn to drugs, human trafficking and violence as a consequence.

Feast on Homecoming:Hey MSU alumni, here are 5 spots worth checking out during Homecoming weekend

Her guests at the homecoming events have also worked at the university's migrant assistance program and lived at Holden Hall. Herrera said the hall is known for having a high Latino student population because the student migrant program is housed there.

Anthony Cano will accompany Herrera Friday night to a reception after the homecoming parade. He met her last summer while doing a practicum for his graduate degree. She helped him connect with MSU's Latino community.

"She introduced me to not just students, but faculty, staff, prominent Latinx leaders here on campus because before, I thought I was alone," Cano said.

He's studying student affairs administration and is a college transition advisor in the student migrant program. He shares similarities with Herrera as first-generation students and said Herrera reflects ideals about representation and that voices matter.

"When I see Leeslie, I see the role that she plays in our community. She was an academy ambassador, so she was a role model to all the first-year students this year," Cano said.

Support local journalism and get unlimited digital access! Subscribe for only $1 for six months!

Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at (517) 267-1344 or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Farm worker Leeslie Herrera will serve on Michigan State's homecoming court