Hey, hey, hey. This is Lisa A. And you're listening to Who's That Star? On LCC Connect at Lansing Community College. Who's that Star is a behind the scenes show where I sit down and talk with the employees at the college. This is an inside look at LCC where you will have a chance to learn about their passions, projects, what inspires them both at work and in their personal lives. I'm your host, Lisa Alexander. I'm so excited to get a chance to talk to all the people who make LCC great. This show is for you. Get to know the people that work at Lansing Community College a little bit more and see what makes them tick. Are you ready? Okay. Let's go see who's today's Star. Today on Who's That Star Is someone I have admired for a long time. He has been such a great support for students in the LCC community. He's a first generation immigrant from Mexico, a former migrant worker and advocate. He has his MSW and worked his way to earning his doctorate in education. He plays such an important role in the Lansing community. He has worked for the state of Michigan as executive director for Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan. He returned to LCC and is now the associate dean for the center for Student Support. Let's get ready to find out Who's That Star. Today's star is Felipe Lopez Sustaita. Did I get that right?

You got that right.

Gracias. I'm glad that we were able to get Felipe today. Felipe, how are you?

Lisa? Mucha gracias por tener mi aqui. It's a pleasure, Lisa. I mean I've admired, I've seen your work for many, many years now. I think I've known you for 15, 20 years. So I'm excited to be here today.

Yeah, it has been a long time. It doesn't seem like it's been that long, but I have admired you. Like I said, I think that you have, you are one of the stars that I immediately, you know, connected with. We have similar background and I think that we just have some like minded in our ideas. So I'm ready for this interview and I'm ready for the audience to get a chance to know who you are. So today, Felipe, how did you get started at LCC?

So, you know, it wasn't a straight line or anything like that. It was never, you know, growing up, it was never like, oh, I'm going to go work at higher ed or where. So I ended up here. Really blessed to be here. But after I Graduated with my msw. I couldn't get a job, so I applied for like 100, 200 jobs and I wasn't getting an opportunity and I couldn't understand why. So I got some part time jobs. I worked at CMH as a crisis therapist. And then the opportunity came to come work here in 2008 with the Lucetto program. And you know, it was the best job ever. So that's how I ended up here in Lansing Community College. Obviously I left for five years and then I'm back now and. But man, just happy to be here.

Yeah, I know that you made such an impact with Lucero and I thought that you started Lucaro, but that's not actually true, is it?

No, that's correct, Lisa. Like it's a community that, you know, held the college accountable because the retention, the graduation rates for Latinx students were not there. So the community is really the all star here because they're the ones that advocated, they fought. And so in 2003, Lucero was created. I was blessed enough to come in here in 2008 and carry that baton.

Okay, so there was a previous director or coordinator prior to you, and then you stayed as the coordinator for how long?

So I was the coordinator for eight years. So. And it was an amazing thing that the college did. And I don't know who to give credit to, but what they did was they included the coordinator with academic advising, which was like the hook to get students to come and then really create a case management approach.

Yeah, you did do that. And I know that that center was really used a lot, was a lot of traffic. I know I would go up there all the time just to see what was going on, get a chance just to talk with students because I know they felt at home. And I know you all won an award. Luciero won an award. Could you tell me a little bit about that when you were working there?

Absolutely. So yeah, it was a center. We provided a wraparound services, but also we would invite community for community events. And so all that came into this award that we got in 2000, I believe it was 15 or 16 that Washington D.C. educacion and Excelencia chose us. You know, from all over the country. We were competing with schools with huge budgets. One million, two million.

Right.

In programs like in New York and California, Florida, Texas, New York, all these other states. And yet we were selected as one of the primary programs as a model to everybody. So it's like again, this idea that David versus Goliath, Right. All we had was a few rocks and big hopes and big dreams to help students, and we were able to accomplish that. And I think our track record showed that. So students going to mit, getting Masters, getting all this success, so they're really the All Stars. I was just there serving as, like, the point guard. Right. Giving them the resources. And then we had an amazing team, too. We had amazing student staff that went on to do amazing things. And so this is not done by one person, it's done by multiple people. The community played a huge role. They supported, they did everything. It took a village to help these students. And we still have great relationship with these students. And I think that's the amazing part.

Yeah, I do. You know, Lucero is known in our community, and I believe it helped a lot of students. I know a lot of students went into MSW programs or social work programs from your influence, and so I think that's cool, and I think that's going to help a lot of people. I know you said that you left LCC for five years. What did you go do when you left?

So, you know, there was an opportunity for me to go to the state, and there was at a time where my skills, I guess, were necessary. I didn't know at the time, but I was tapped to be the executive director for the Hispanic Latino Commission. And what that entailed was advising the governor on issues related to the Latinx community across the state. So part of my duties were traveling all over the state, having listening sessions, being there, advocating, sitting at the table, and really being a voice, because there's this saying that if you're not at the table, then you're on the menu. And so part of it was, you know, having to be there. And I knew that I didn't have the same experience as all my community, but I was there to advocate and to be a voice. Right when we didn't have one.

Oh. And I think that was like, it's needed, you know, And I think that for people to get an opportunity to talk with someone and share what is going on with their lives and what's going on in their community and have someone that they can trust to bring that back, I think that's a good thing. I said, you left, but you came back. So tell me what you do now that you're back at LCC.

So now, before I was serving students directly, I was having an influence, but I came back as associate dean for the center for Student Support. We have eight departments there that are geared to help students, to help them, whether getting accommodations, whether it's Compliance, student life, Fostering stars, Veteran services. All these programs are very critical to the lifeline of our students. So the way I see it is that now I'm in a position to not just do the one on one thing, but to inspire more people, like, through working with our staff. And so it's like that mustard seed, right? It multiplies in many, many ways when you. And I'm a farmer, right. So I have to use the analogy of planting seeds, right? When you plant seed by seed, yes, you're gonna. You're gonna get a crop, but if you're planning, like, multiple rows, then the harvest is gonna be amazing. So I see this as an opportunity of a lifetime that we can have a huge impact. And so I've been here for now a year, and I've seen a lot of great things from our staff. And it's not just me. It's this synergy of all of us working together.

Yeah, I know. I thought about, oh, I never want to be in leadership. But I know your analogy is like, where you have the opportunity to kind of grow a whole field instead of just like one row. You know what I mean? Like, I can plan. That's only so much I can do as one person. But if I can impact a staff or a program or several programs with a good size foundation and a good philosophy, you help more people. And so I was like, man, maybe I need to, you know, re. Look and rethink about leadership roles and what they mean and what they can do. So I thank you for that. But tell me why you like working at LCC. What is it that keeps you coming to work and so passionate about it?

Yeah. So, you know, like I told you earlier, LCC gave me my first opportunity. I'll never forget that. Right. So I graduated from MSU from Ferris. I'm an alumni. But I choose to donate my time, my money here to this college, like many other students. I think that there is something here that I can't explain in words, but it's something that is so powerful the way we could change lives. Right? Like somebody that's homeless, somebody that came out of prison. I've seen it because I've worked with these students that they can turn their life around. And so I think that spirit is, you can't duplicate it, you can't fake it. And so that's why I love working here. And the staff, the people, the students, it's something that. It's one of a kind.

You know, I was doing a little research, and I saw that you had earned your bachelor's degree in criminal justice, and now it seems like, you know, your trajectory went to education. Why did you choose education?

Yeah, so I went from criminal justice because I didn't know what I was doing, right? So my sister, she was the one that was majoring in criminal justice. And so that's kind of what, what why I chose that. But I've never really had a plan. It's just the way, you know, I let our creator kind of lead me through this, and so that's why I'm here. I can't really tell you why or how I ended up here, but I just follow what the most high gives.

Me, and it's rewarding, you know what I mean? And I understand education. It's a pathway to something different. And to me, criminal justice. And there's no shade on that field or anything. It's just that sometimes after some events have happened, you may meet with people that you may have been able to benefit if you were to been in an educational setting to help them. So I think that's cool that you made that choice and decided to come in education, and you've benefited a lot of students because I've actually seen it. So I wanted to know, what's your first job? What was your first job?

So my first job ever was working in the fields, right? It was, you know, picking oranges, strawberries, everything that was backbreaking. And there's people still doing it. Right. And I think what, what broke my heart when the pandemic hit is that my people were still out there. They didn't get any time off, they didn't get any sick leave. They were, they were out there so that me, you, our families could have, you know, that salad or that strawberry. And so even though, you know, I've been removed away from that for a long time, like, it's something that was my first job. And I did it until I went to college. Right. With my entire family. And so, yeah, I worked from sun in, sun out to sun in, you know, in 12, 16, 18 hour shifts. I did it all, you know, when I turned 11, that's when. When I started working with grown men. Wow. Women. And grew up really, really quick.

So how did that experience guide you as the person you are now? Like, what things did you learn from that? Like, experience, because you were doing adult tasks as a child, you know, but you had to, you, you know, what, what did that character. How did that build your character? I guess is the question.

Yeah, I mean that in a lot of Ways I think that any student that comes, regardless of whatever barriers that they have, because I couldn't read and write, Lisa, I learned how to read and write when I came to Michigan State. So I wasn't a genius or nothing like that. So my education suffered. Right. I just couldn't do it. Because you moved a lot as a migrant worker. So what it did for here in this institution is that I believe that any person can come. Instead of seeing all the barriers, all the lacks of things that they're missing. I look at Nobel Prize winners, right? That they could be coming through our door, and we are shutting the door if we don't help them. So that's the way I think it's shaped me in a way of just believing in people. And it doesn't matter what you look like, what your religion is, that you have a chance at least if you meet me, I don't care how bad you have it, that I want to instill in you that it is doable.

And that right there, hope is everything, right? Being able to see that there's a possibility I can do it and with support. And I think that's really one of the good things that LCC does, is provide support for students. And I know for me as a staff person, it helped me like I was in the same boat you were. I needed a job, and I was desperate. I was a single parent, and LCC gave me that chance, too. So I'm really pro community college, and I think that we do make a difference. I have another question. Who do you admire most?

So the person that I admire the most is no longer here in physical presence. It was my father. He left this earth really young. I was just 17, and he was probably 62, 63 years old. He was a young, young person, but had taken a beating so long, had worked in the fields, pesticides, everything. So he. He suffered a lot. He lost his dad at 17. Right. So it's been a chain that I am trying to break with my kids that I want to live past, way past my youngest, the 17. So that's what I'm chasing, right? I'm not chasing nothing else, but to break that. That I want to live long.

Yeah.

And so. But he. He was my hero. And as I grew older, you know, I was initially, obviously, you know, very upset of why he left so early. And I questioned, you know, my creator. I said, how. How did you take them? But I asked him, now you have to father me. And so the most high has provided the people that have mentored Me that have guided me. And so I've been very blessed. And as a matter of fact, we know somebody that me and, you know from Ferris State. Right. So we were connected even before we even knew we were connected.

Exactly. Yeah. Really? That is true.

Yeah. I mean, I don't know if he'll ever hear this, but, you know Dr. Matt Chaney from Flint, Michigan. Right. He was just such a blessing to me because when I was going through my doctoral program, he was there with me. He shared his wisdom, his guidance, and there's a lot of other people. Rudy Hernandez, who's a professor here at LCC, who was the one that took me out of the field and brought me to Michigan State. And he's the one that. That when they were making decisions, he had a decision to make. Am I going to advocate or am I going to. I seen this kid work so hard in the fields, so let me make a case for him. And he. That was the best decision he ever made because I'm still connected. I'm still with him. And again, you know, I've been so, so blessed.

Yeah. I mean, that's an amazing story. Right. And it just shows you how finding the right people at the right time can just change the trajectory of your life. And I think that's so cool. And, yeah, it's so funny, because I knew Matt when I was at Ferris, and so we're Facebook friends, and he's. I found out something about you, Felipe, that I thought I should have knew before somebody else. And I found out that you wrote a book.

Yes.

Could you tell me a little bit about that?

Yeah. So I've been writing this book off and on for 10, 15 years. Right. And the reason it took so long, Lisa, is because it's so painful to revisit some of those experiences. Traumatic, you know, because as men of color, it's so hard for us to express. And so I use that writing as healing. It was a healing process for me of letting go. And so, yeah, I mean, I wrote the book. It's such a huge accomplishment. But I really wrote it for my grandkids because I have nothing from my grandpa. I know the oral stories of my father, but I want to know. I want them to know where they come from, that we come from, humility from people, that our ancestors are kings and queens. So that's really the reason. But, yes, I mean, if you read the book, you'll be able to see why I am the way I am, why I speak so clear on behalf of people that don't have a voice.

And what's the name of the book?

You can't run from your destiny? Lessons from a migrant worker.

Oh, I think that's so cool. I'm so proud of you. I just got this big smile on my face because I know, like, that's not easy and in the trauma and to relive that, but to show because that's the best lesson. Right. Your family, your grandchildren, seeing where they started from and where they are and where you, you know, where you became. And they have no excuse. Right. And so I think that I love that. Well, tell me a little bit about your wife and family.

So I have four boys. Three of them are black belts in taekwondo. They're multi sport. You know, they, they, they like all kinds of sports.

How old are they?

So I have a 12, a 10, a 9 and a 7 year old. So just blessed to be able to raise four kings. Right. And with good spirits and good manners. And I have a beautiful, wonderful wife, Danielle.

Yes.

Who just received her PhD in December.

All right, wait a minute. Okay, Danielle, that's what's up. Congratulations.

So, yeah, she phenomenal woman, phenomenal mother. Phenomenal. She's the queen of the house.

Right.

And so I am so blessed to be able to parent with her and to, you know, to have two of us with doctor degrees in one household is very, very rare.

It is.

And you know, often I talk about, you know, my parents ceiling was my floor, and so our ceiling is going to be their floor. And so me and her are hoping to have that ceiling so high that their floor is going to be untouchable. Right?

Yeah. And that's great. And I believe that they will do it for sure. Well, Felipe, I have one more question before we go. What career advice would you give to your younger self?

That's a good question, Lisa, because I don't think I would change anything. I did not know anything coming into it. And I still operate with this mentality that even if I fail, what's the worst that can happen? I can go back to the fields, I got nothing to lose. And I still have that attitude like, let me fail, I'll get up. And that's the lesson that I want to teach my kids and I want to teach anybody that's around me that it's okay to fail. And you know, that's how you learn. Right. There's every setback is set there so that you can have a comeback.

That's right.

And so the comeback is way sweeter than the setback.

Hey, I think we gonna leave on that note right there. Felipe, thank you for taking time today to come on Who's That Star? I look forward to reading your book. I am going to get your book. Can you get on Amazon?

You can get it at Amazon soon in Barnes and Nobles.

Okay. All right. Well, once again, thank you, Felipe, for coming today. And next week, find out Who's That Star? You've been listening to Who's That Star? I'm Lisa A. And you can listen to this episode of Who's That Star? And other shows from LCC Connect anytime online at LCCconnect.org. Thank you for listening. Catch me next time to find out Who's That Star.