Research Rookies Student Profiles

Name: Guadalupe Trejo

Cohort: Sophomore/Transfer Research Rookie

Major: Graphic Design

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Aleksandra Giza

Research is not limited to the sciences, and Guadalupe Trejo clearly shows that. Guadalupe is a sophomore transfer student who is majoring in Graphic Design, and she is a Research Rookie. For Guadalupe’s project, she is researching the history and evolution of Latino graphic design to determine what made certain designs so well-received within the Latino community. Once she has identified key aspects of successful graphic designs, Guadalupe plans on applying them herself to posters she will make for the Latino Resource Center.

Guadalupe is a self-taught graphic designer, who always loved art but had never quite found her niche. Then she took a graphic design class at Joliet Junior College, taught herself how to use multiple design programs, and has been enjoying it ever since.

Research Rookies has provided Guadalupe with the opportunity to combine her Latino heritage with her major through a research project. With the help of her mentor, Guadalupe has already gained more confidence in herself as an artist and become more creative. Now, she is even looking into a study abroad opportunity with her mentor through which she would go to Italy and Spain to learn about art. 

Guadalupe’s Research Rookies experience has pushed this self-made artist to expand her horizons and follow her dreams. She is currently working on a portfolio of designs, and cannot wait to see where this new source of inspiration takes her with her works of art.

Guadalupe on what being a Research Rookie means: “Being a Research Rookie means being passionate about your field of study and are able to research about it.  It means meeting new people, opening new doors for yourself, and learning about your major.”