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Adriana Justo Ortiz began college in a nursing program but soon discovered her true passion. After transferring to Hollins as a junior, she pursued a double major in history—her longtime favorite—and Spanish.   

Until Hollins, Justo Ortiz hadn’t seen her Hispanic heritage, especially during her favorite era, World War II. That changed when she learned about the Bracero program, a U.S. labor initiative that brought Mexican workers to American farms during WWII.  “It reconfigured gender roles between the Braceros and their families,” she says. Her honors thesis on the subject made her a finalist for the 2025 Undergraduate Library Research Award. 

“Community college was learning facts and taking exams. At Hollins, I discovered the joy of research,” she says. She credits supportive professors and librarians for helping her navigate primary sources—often in Spanish—during long hours in the Wyndham Robertson Library. As a J-Term library intern, she created bilingual book collections.  

Originally planning to teach history, Justo Ortiz pivoted after teaching at the Community School, where she designed Spanish lessons for 180 students. She now plans to pursue her master’s degree and work with the Hispanic community on immigration issues. A first-generation college student, she’s volunteered with the RAM House, her church, and Seeds of Hope.  

“No one in my family has gone to college before,” she reflects. “As an alumna, I want to help more Hispanic students believe college is possible, too.” 

Favorite Class: Reproductive Justice by Lindsey Breitwieser, director and assistant professor of gender and women’s studies. “I liked learning about women’s healthcare and how marginalized communities are most affected by it. It was eye-opening.”   

Highlights 

• Honors Thesis: “Promesas Incumplidas: The Reconfiguration of Gendered Expectations and Relationships” 

• Bilingual Religious Educator, St. Gerard Catholic Church 

• K-POP Club and various Hispanic community events at Hollins