The Michigan State University School of Social Work proudly congratulates MSW alumnus Felipe Lopez Sustaita for receiving the MSU Alumni Office’s Young Alumni Award. This award is presented to alumni aged 40 or younger who have distinguished themselves through a high level of professional accomplishment early in their career.
Lopez Sustaita was born in Matehuala, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, as the youngest of eight siblings. He grew up as a proud and humble migrant farm worker where he learned to overcome the odds at an early age. His journey was nontraditional. “I slept on the floor my entire childhood until I came to college at Michigan State,” said Lopez Sustaita. He added that this kind of origin story “keeps you humble -- one foot in the ground and the other dreaming.”
Sustaita began his academic career by pursuing a BA in criminal justice at MSU. He then found valuable support during his undergraduate experience through the Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT) at MSU, which acted as a pivotal component towards his success, he explained. This support would lead to him graduating in 2005 with a BA in criminal justice, then subsequently graduating with his MSW from MSU as well. Also, the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) at MSU helped Lopez Sustatia significantly by offering him a graduate assistantship. This opportunity was important not only because it helped pay for his graduate education, but also because of the experience he gained as a graduate assistant working with migrant farm working students with similar backgrounds.
The importance of education stands as the backbone of Lopez Sustaita’s life, and he couples this with his passion for uplifting others. “Education opened doors I never imagined,” he said. “Now, as a mentor, I strive to keep those doors open for others.” In his current role as the associate dean of the center of student support at Lansing Community College (LCC), where he oversees six departments, he’s cultivated a strong, nourishing environment where students can thrive. “My biggest role is working with youth. You teach them they can stand up for themselves and their community, and that’s where I find my purpose.”
Lopez Sustaita’s sense of pride and purpose reside in his Latin roots. Prior to his role at LCC, he worked as the executive director of the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan – making him one of the highest-ranking Latinos in the state at just 30 years old. In this role, he would advocate for migrant workers across the entire state, along with the Hispanic/Latino community overall. “I was a voice for other Latinos in the state of Michigan,” he said. “I represent a community that is often overlooked, but I’m here to show what we’re capable of when given a chance.”
Receiving this award is more than a personal achievement for Lopez Sustaita; it is a tribute to his community. “I feel like a trailblazer in this space for them,” he said. “I’m here to show what our community is capable of when given a chance.”
Lopez Sustaita’s journey illustrates the transformative power of education and the importance of representation. Ready to make a difference in your community? Learn more about our MSW Program.