Kevin Cevallos
Kevin Cevallos is a scholar, student mentor, and speaker whose work centers on educational access, personal resilience, and the transformative power of self-advocacy. As a first-generation college student and the proud son of Salvadoran immigrants, Cevallos' academic and personal journey reflects a persistent dedication to building community and redefining what it means to belong in higher education. Entering college at the age of thirty-seven, Cevallos navigated the distinct challenges of stepping into lecture halls alongside peers half his age. In addition to confronting the generational divide, he faced the ongoing physical and emotional complexities of navigating the world as an amputee. Early in his academic transition, the intersection of these identities—first-generation cultural expectations, visible physical difference, and non-traditional student status—often felt like barriers to integration. Cevallos grew up in Los Angeles, having graduated with honors from the Alexander Hamilton Academy of Music in 2004. He learned to play music in third grade, having mastered the bass, French horn, and clarinet in that time. He has held various jobs since his time in high school, including his last position of Operations Manager for Aircraft and Ground Fueling at Ontario Airport. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, two step-daughters, and two dogs. His hobbies include working on cars, watching sports, and expanding his LEGO collection.
Claiming Your Seat: How Difference Becomes Your Greatest Space of Belonging.
Entering a college classroom at 40 years old as a first-generation son of Salvadoran immigrants and an amputee, I felt like an outsider in almost every metric. Sitting among 18-year-old peers, navigating physical self-doubt, and carrying the weight of my family’s immigrant journey, I questioned if I truly belonged in higher education. Everything changed during my second semester in English class. When my professor pulled me aside to suggest I become a peer tutor, I realized something critical: I wasn't just sitting in the back of the room trying to blend in; I had lived experience, resilience, and perspective that could help others. In this talk, I unpack how we move from asking for permission to fit into spaces to recognizing that who we are matters, and wherever we step, we belong.