Her Story
About Margarita Alely
Margarita Alely Nuñez Arroyo, Ph.D., is a literary scholar and higher education professional whose path from a low-income upbringing in Compton, California, to the completion of her doctorate reflects a career built on persistence and purpose. Now serving as the TRIO Student Support Services Advisor at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, she guides first-generation, low-income students, and students with disabilities through personalized advising, tutoring coordination, and workshops on financial literacy, writing, and academic skills. As the first in her family to complete both a bachelor's degree and a doctorate, she draws on her own experience as a former TRIO SSS and McNair Program participant to shape the way she supports students navigating similar challenges today.
Beyond her advising role, Margarita is an active literary critic whose scholarship explores how Latinx writers use the Gothic genre to surface histories of labor, marginalization, and identity that have often been overlooked. Her research applies a disability studies lens to examine how systems of racialization construct certain individuals as outsiders or "monsters," with particular attention to farmworkers, so-called "bad women," and themes of loss, invisibility, and haunting. She earned her Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Kansas, building on years of experience as a graduate teaching assistant, and holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the same institution.
Driven by her parents' conviction that education is a permanent, unshakable asset, Margarita views her academic journey as more than a personal milestone; she sees it as a responsibility to open doors for others. She is committed to mentoring the next generation of first-generation and low-income scholars, encouraging them to embrace their sense of belonging in academic spaces even when the path feels uncertain. Looking ahead, she hopes to become a professor of literary studies, continuing her research on Chicana and Latina Gothic literature while remaining an advocate for the federally funded programs that shaped her own success.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Margarita Alely
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my hard-headedness, or being necia, a trait I developed growing up in Compton and that pushed me to disprove negative stereotypes about my community. I also credit my parents, who instilled in me the belief that an education is something that can never be taken away, along with my lifelong love of reading and learning.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
A mentor once advised me to stay authentic to who I am so that others can see the passion behind my work. I also hold onto the idea of "fake it till you make it," which has helped me push through the imposter syndrome that so many first-generation students and women experience.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell them that it's okay to feel nervous, because that feeling usually means the opportunity in front of you truly matters and has the power to change your life. You will grow both academically and emotionally along the way, and even if you feel distanced from your community at times, you can always bring that knowledge and growth back home. You belong in every space you enter.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I see is the ongoing push to eliminate federally funded programs like TRIO SSS, which makes advocacy and visibility more important than ever. At the same time, I see real opportunity in building out TRIO services at a new institution and creating lasting support structures that stay with students all the way through to graduation.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Education as an enduring, lifelong value is central to who I am, both personally and professionally. I also hold authenticity, perseverance, and a genuine commitment to giving back and mentoring students as core values that guide my work.
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