Maggie Salinas (CC’25) on Finding Power in 'Little Freedoms,' Growth, and Expression

There are 2,182 miles that stretch between El Paso, Texas, and New York City. Beyond moving from a dry climate to a more humid landscape, making that transition comes with a laundry list of firsts. Maggie Salinas (CC’ 25), a creative writing major and University Life communications assistant, discovered each of those firsts – from navigating the subway system to finding her way around campus – embracing all that her college experience could offer.

“I'm the first generation in my family to apply to college. I grew up in a very rural town in El Paso, on the outskirts of it,” Salinas said. “I was always into the idea of being a journalist and writing. When I was in school, I would always try and look for those opportunities.”

Inspired by her high school teachers, with their stories of travels and new places, Salinas quickly began to see that her horizons could expand beyond Texas. 

“I realized, I really wanted to get out and explore the world just because I never had, and you know, growing up, it was a small family. It was just me, my brother, my parents. My parents are first-generation citizens here,” Salinas said. “They are the type of people that are more conscious and aware about their surroundings and what we do. They were always terrified about letting us go alone to places, things like that. And I was stubborn, and I just knew I wanted to be in a city where I could just move on my own, and learn to live life alone. So, I applied to Columbia.”

Salinas was immediately struck by the subtle culture shock of language. It’s no secret that New York is a melting pot of dialect and diversity; establishing herself as a Mexican-American student became her first priority upon beginning college.

“I grew up going to Mexico every weekend, and everyone I knew was in the first wave of being first generation – kids who were children of immigrants. We all spoke Spanish. We were all bilingual. So in the classroom, we would speak English, but like in recess, things like that, it was always Spanish. We were so close to the border that I remember getting signals to Mexican channels, through the antenna,” Salinas said. “Once I got here, I was like, wait, not everyone is like me. And I think to some degree, I was aware, but I hadn't seen it growing up – everyone in my hometown was like me.”

Columbia University has over 500 student groups on campus. When Salinas joined the ChicanX Caucus, a cultural club dedicated to supporting students who identify as ChicanX, Mexican, or Mexican-American, she found respite. 

“I think because I was far from home. I was like, wait, I want you to know who I am. And so I found some comfort in joining groups that were centered on traditions and my Mexican identity,” Salinas said. “I would often go to the ChicanX Caucus meetings, one of the Mexican-American political groups here. I loved the fact that they did a lot of traditions like Dia de los Muertos and a bunch of other weekly activities that had to do with the culture.”

Originally a computer science and creative writing major, Salinas quickly discovered that writing is her primary passion. After considering what paths she could take, she switched into a creative writing program with a minor in Hispanic cultures. 

“At Columbia, you need to have a passion for what you’re doing because a lot of the classes are centered on being innovative and coming up with your own contributions,” Salinas said. “Once I got here and started taking workshops and seminars, learning about other writers, I loved the idea that there were so many different formats. Now I’m geared toward writing memoirs and short stories.”

Inspired by writers such as Franz Kafka, Joan Didion, Gloria Anzaldua, Sandra Cisneros, and Maya Angelou, Salinas quickly began to find classes that pushed her to broaden her understanding of what storytelling could like – it could be personal, political, fantastical, or satirical. These classes pushed her, affirming the need and value of bringing her unique perspective and background to her work.

“For my writing major, I had to take related courses outside of the department. So I took a class in Hispanic cultures. We consumed a lot of media, a lot of literature, studied the political movements, things like that. And I mean, beyond being interested in history, I also really liked that everyone was able to speak Spanish,” Salinas said. “I kept enrolling in those classes, and what I loved is that they could be on whatever topic. So I took one on rock in Latin America, and now I'm taking one on disability narratives and literature in Latin America.”

As the academic year draws to a close, Salinas reflects on the memories of the last four years and looks forward to the adventures to come. 

“I’m excited, but it’s kind of crazy, knowing that my time’s up and I have to lock in and find a job. I had a lot of good memories over the last four years, and my roommate and I made the most of it. I’m very proud of the fact that we’re going to graduate. I love all the moments we’re having now, like buying dresses or getting our pictures done, all of the senior events,” Salinas said. “But it gets sad when I think about the fact that I’m never going to live in this dorm again, or be on campus as a student again. But I’m going back home after graduation, and in the meantime, my roommate and I have all these plans to meet up and travel to different cities.”

Strengthened by her heritage and personal experiences, sharing her cultural stories became second nature.

“I was able to do workshops where I was able to submit stories that were based on my identity or past experiences. Whenever I would share all of these stories from my hometown and how I grew up, and even now, whenever I share all these experiences, I like that people are learning from it, and having that same kind of feeling that I had whenever I came here.”

This sense of connection and validation in her writing easily carried over into her classes, where Salinas found that her stories were not only accepted but appreciated. Her words resonated with peers and professors, reminding her that her voice mattered and that sharing her perspective had real value.

“I feel like it was kind of empowering for a bit, because it was doing something. My stories are not for nothing. Whenever I was getting into this field, I had started taking these classes with Maria Hinojosa, and she would do a lot of journalism classes and creative writing classes,” Salinas said. “I loved her classes the most because every time we would go, she would always start off with meditation, and then she would reinforce to us that we deserve to be here, in these spaces. She loved learning about us, and it was in those moments where I would share something, and she'd be like, ‘Yes, that's a good story.’ It was validating. What I'm doing matters. I think that's what defined me.”

Salinas credits her persistence as a springboard for launching her college journey, which included what she describes as “little freedoms” – the autonomy to build and shape the rhythms of her own life.

“I don’t know that if I hadn’t been stubborn that I would have gotten this far. I think that’s my biggest lesson because it’s literally what got me here. When I was applying, I always knew I wanted to move out, see the world. I was really set on the idea of ‘New York or nothing,’” Salinas said. “If I want to go shopping, or if I want to go see the park, I can get on the subway, or I can walk there. If I want to eat dinner late, I can go to the dining hall, things like that are just little freedoms I feel like I didn't have growing up. I do think of it as little freedoms, because those kinds of things would be little things that you don't really think about, but I wouldn't have been able to do back home.”

Her pursuit of independence and the ability to navigate life on her own terms became a defining force throughout her college experience.

“I'm grateful for it because I have agency,” Salinas said. “I'm glad that I feel confident enough now. I lived across the country by myself for four years, and have seen growth. It was revolutionary because there were so many changes. It was fun, and I’m genuinely going to miss it. My whole college experience has been freeing.”

After graduation, Salinas plans to apply to local newspapers and stations like Telemundo and the El Paso Times, hoping to break into the writing world and begin building her portfolio beyond college. In the meantime, she looks forward to recharging, spending time with loved ones, and exploring opportunities—including a potential magazine role in San Antonio that would bring her closer to family.

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