Aixa Flores-Dominguez

Aixa Jimena Flores-Dominguez, RTA, Columbia College ‘24

Date Interviewed: July 26, 2023

Introduce yourself!

I’m Aixa, my pronouns are she/her, and I’m a rising senior in Columbia College studying Religion and Political Science. I’m from Omaha, Nebraska. I grew up there, but I was born in Mexico.  

What drew you to work at F&C?

Honestly, I think the demographic of kids that were going to be able to do it. If I would have been your guys’ age and lived in the city, I probably would have been doing a program like this. I thought it was a super valuable experience to be able to do. I really, really wanted to work with high school students because I haven't had as much teaching experience so I was really excited to do that.

What is your favorite part of the program?

I think my favorite part of the program honestly—and I don't think I would have said this, but I do now—is living with you guys. I think it helps us all as RTAs, at least for me it does, to build a better relationship with you guys and get to know you away from just simply an academic setting. Also, you guys get a lot more rowdy and are your guys' selves at night so that really helps [to get to know you better].

What is your favorite reading in the program and why?

Douglass’s Fourth of July Speech. I really, really, really enjoy that one because I like the way that he decides to phrase the speech and makes it so that he can convey his points a lot better than if he simply had just stated them directly. He’s similar to Socrates, where he kind of gives a question and then answers it.

What is one piece of advice that you would like to give to F&C students?

This is kind of corny but to believe in yourself, especially when others tell you that you can't do something. I feel like if I would have not believed in myself when I was your guys’ age, especially when applying to college, I would not be where I am. I think that it’s incredibly impactful, especially for students of color or from low income areas or especially from immigrant backgrounds to know that it's okay for you to be your number one fan and motivator, and to ask for help, definitely, but also just for sure to believe in yourself. You should be your last judge determining whatever your future is going to be because you're the one that's going to have to live with it.

What is one fun fact about you?

When I was seven months old, I fell off a bed and broke my head. So I have two big scars right here (gesturing at sides of her scalp) from when I fell off the bed. It was my brother who was jumping on the bed. I rolled off onto the tile floor from a high bed, but I survived, obviously.