Boise State Student Ramiro Mendoza Addresses President Hahn at Investiture Ceremony
Junior business marketing major selected to speak at the university leadership event, citing community as key to his success.
By Aiko Nakamura ·
Ramiro Mendoza, a junior business marketing major from Homedale, Idaho, spoke at the investiture of Boise State President David Hahn on Tuesday. Mendoza was selected to deliver an address focused on finding community through campus involvement. He told the audience that first-generation students are not alone in navigating higher education.
Fall 2026 census data show that first-generation, degree-seeking undergraduates make up 34% of the Boise State student population. That statistic means three out of every ten students on campus are first in their family to attend college. Mendoza said he arrived at Boise State feeling imposter syndrome but gained a sense of belonging through active participation.
“In many ways, I have become the person I needed when I first arrived at Boise State. And that is what makes this university so special to me,” Mendoza said. He described the experience of speaking at the investiture as surreal. Mendoza noted that being chosen for the role made him proud and felt like a moment where his hard work paid off.
Mendoza serves as president of the Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, a multicultural organization on campus. He also works at Boise State Campus Recreation and serves as an orientation leader. Mendoza identified his time in Omega Delta Phi as the primary driver of his sense of belonging. He said the fraternity helped him learn time management, communication, and conflict resolution.
The fraternity prioritizes member graduation and community service. Members attend mandatory study tables and workshops for resume building. The group participates in local service projects, including Rake Up Boise, cleaning the Greenbelt, and an Alternative Spring Break with St. Vincent de Paul. Mendoza also credited the College Assistant Migrant Program and TRIO for providing tutors, peer mentors, and career fair access during his first year.
Mendoza plans to work as a real estate agent after graduation. He said he wants to stay in Idaho to remain close to family, though he is open to opportunities out of state if they offer a better future. He advised fellow first-generation students to take risks and get involved. “You’re not alone,” Mendoza said. “It may seem like you are, but you’re not.”
