When Spanish-speaking families step into TCU’s orientation, the excitement can come with a challenge. Often, parents sit through sessions, snapping photos of slides and leaning on their students to translate later, which isn’t quite the same as being fully involved in the moment. This year, a thoughtful initiative changed all of that: the creation of RANAS Leaders.
The story began when Emily Ivey, Ph.D., director of New Student & Family Programs (NSFP), noticed that Spanish-speaking families might not be getting the full benefit of orientation. Enter Alex Martinez, a graduate assistant who turned that insight into action. He brought a program to life where families could use headsets for real-time Spanish translation during orientation. For the first time, they weren’t watching through a language barrier. They were part of every word and every welcome. In total, eighty-eight individuals took part in the experience and walked away feeling more informed and connected to their Horned Frog’s journey at TCU.
One of the four original RANAS Leaders was Dulce Sancen, a nursing student graduating in 2026 with a minor in child development and serving as a Community Engagement intern. She remembers being the translator for her family during her sister’s orientation. When her own orientation came around, she worried about who would translate for her parents. She didn’t want other families to face that worry. That memory pushed her to step up as a RANAS Leader.
“When my sister attended orientation, I was the one translating for my mom,” Dulce said. “When it was my turn, I thought, ‘Who is going to do that for my parents?’ That’s when I knew I wanted to help other families so they would not have the same worry.”
Dulce did more than translate words. She shared her story, what it’s like to be a Hispanic, first-generation nursing student at TCU. When parents voiced concerns about how to support their students, she could speak from experience. Sometimes she told them what worked for her parents, and sometimes what she wished they had done differently. That honest sharing made a difference.
Through the experience, Dulce found reflections of her own family in those she supported. She saw the hopes, fears, and love they had for their children, all emotions she understood intimately. Supporting these families felt like giving back to her own.
One moment stood out most, the difference between a parent taking photos of slides and texting them to their child later, versus hearing those slides in real time. In those moments, families were fully present together. Language barriers faded, and connection blossomed.
Jessica Mascote, assistant director of admission for Community Engagement, explained why the RANAS Leaders matter so much. She saw it as a great example of how university offices can come together to craft orientation experiences that are welcoming, inclusive, and impactful for families and students alike.
For Alex Martinez, the message was clear: accessibility equals empowerment. By offering inclusive experiences, the university tells every family, “You belong here.”
The RANAS Leaders program, along with similar initiatives, is supported by the generosity of TCU’s Parent Association funds. If you’re interested in helping to expand these valuable programs for future families, consider contributing to parent and family programming. Your support ensures that all families have a meaningful, inclusive experience at TCU. To make a contribution, please visit advancement.tcu.edu/new/makeagift and select “Parents Association” from the dropdown menu.
