Michael Meeks ’25, an international studies and Spanish double major at Texas A&M University, is committed to serving migrant communities. While a childhood immersed in the diverse tapestry of Texas initially fueled Meeks’ passion for cross-cultural understanding and immigrant advocacy, he says his time at Texas A&M has only confirmed his calling as he gains insight into immigrants' challenges through academic coursework and hands-on engagement with real-world experiences.
Meeks developed an interest in other languages and cultures at an early age. He grew up near San Antonio and later moved to the suburbs of Austin, where he often interacted with the local migrant population. Influenced by his Catholic faith, Meeks always had a fervent desire to serve other people. As he started high school, he knew everything in his life was pointing him toward a career helping migrant communities.
Drawn to Texas A&M because of a strong sense of community, Meeks quickly discovered that becoming an Aggie was the best thing he could do for his career. He says classes offered through the College of Arts and Sciences like Sociology of Immigration have exposed him to scholarly research and projects related to immigration issues. The more he learns, he adds, the more empathy he has for people trying to find refuge in the United States.
“I’ve become aware that many of the immigrants coming to Texas and other parts of the United States are fleeing violence, desperate economic and political situations, along with other dangers,” Meeks said. “Oftentimes, their journeys to the US and the challenges they face in their new lives after arrival are far from easy. That is why this issue is important to me.”
Everything Meeks is learning inside the classroom is being reinforced through opportunities to work with migrant communities in the Brazos Valley. A chance to practice what he was learning in his Spanish language classes emerged during his freshman and sophomore years when he volunteered as an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor for a group organized by Texas A&M and Blinn College students. Inspired by his students’ dedication to learning a new language while also working full-time and caring for their families, Meeks says the relationships he built still affect him to this day.
“For me, one of the most important parts of the experience was that my ESL students and I got to know each other well and share jokes with each other, even though we came from different backgrounds and life experiences,” he said.
Determined to keep exploring his career path, Meeks interned with the Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network in the fall of 2023. His role as part of the Information, Referrals and Assistance Program gave him further insight into the needs people have when they arrive in the US as he helped answer questions about legal matters, social services and other resources.
“The internship was impactful for me,” he said. “I learned from people in our local community about the hardships and injustices they have experienced.”
Meeks’ interest in other languages and cultures transcends serving migrant communities. In addition to mastering Spanish, he has also studied Portuguese, Japanese and a Persian dialect called Tajik. His lifelong passion for Chinese culture culminated in a minor in Chinese and an exciting opportunity to study in Beijing this semester at the Beijing Center at the University of International Business and Economics.
“I think the flexibility and intercultural communication skills I gain from going abroad will be invaluable,” Meeks said. “Having the experience of moving to a new country where I am not fully fluent in the language will help me better relate with immigrant clients in the future.”
Meeks, who is on track to graduate in May 2025, plans to use the experience he has gained during his time at Texas A&M to pursue a career in immigration law or working for migrant-serving nonprofits.
See a related segment from local ABC affiliate KRHD News on the REACH ESL Program featuring an interview with Meeks.