From UCI to Ward 6: How Nu Alpha Kappa Helped Shaped My Blueprint for Leadership
When people ask where I developed my drive for community accountability, they often expect me to point to a boardroom or a lab. But the truth is, much of my foundation was built during my time at UC Irvine as the President of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. (NAK).
Leading my chapter wasn’t just a social experience; it was my first real-world lesson in organizational turnarounds, financial responsibility, and the power of planning.
The Turnaround: Turning Debt into Stability
When I stepped into the role of President, our chapter faced a challenge many organizations (and cities) face: a lack of financial structure. I applied a "zero-failure" approach to our budget. We didn't just cut costs; we innovated our fundraising and tightened our tracking.
By the end of my term, we had raised enough capital to become completely financially stable. This wasn't just about money; it was about ensuring that our brotherhood had the resources to focus on what mattered: academic excellence and community service.
Culture & Discipline: The NAK Machete Dance
At the heart of Nu Alpha Kappa is a deep pride in our culture. One of our most powerful traditions is the NAK Machete Dance. Rooted in the agricultural history of Jalisco, Mexico, this dance honors the resilience of the farmworkers who came before us.
Performing the Machete Dance requires immense precision, discipline, and synchronization. In many ways, it was my first experience with "Systems Engineering"—if one person is out of sync, the whole performance is at risk. It taught me that honoring our culture isn't just about looking back; it’s about moving forward with a sense of purpose and collective discipline.
The Big Bear Retreat: Building Leaders and Expanding Horizons
Leadership isn't just about managing a budget; it’s about building a team and providing opportunities for growth. During my presidency, I initiated a new tradition: The Yearly Big Bear Leadership Retreat.
This event served two critical purposes:
Strategic Planning: I brought our board members together in Big Bear to align our goals for the year, utilizing the same "Stakeholder Alignment" principles I use today as an engineer and manager.
Expanding Horizons: We opened the camping trip to any brother who had never been camping before. For many of our brothers from urban backgrounds, this was their first time experiencing the outdoors in that way.
This retreat taught me that a leader’s job is to create "firsts"—to give people experiences and tools they didn’t have access to before. Whether it was learning how to lead a meeting or how to set up a tent, we were building confidence that these men carried back to the classroom and into their careers.
Nakland: Philanthropy with a Purpose
One of the proudest traditions of our fraternity is Nakland. This signature philanthropy event—a massive carnival-style day designed for local youth—is a model for community engagement.
The benefits of Nakland go far beyond a day of fun:
Exposure to Higher Ed: For many kids, this is their first interaction with college students who look like them, making the "university dream" feel attainable.
Mentorship: Members act as strong local role models, showing youth they can be proud of their culture while pursuing professional success.
Community Pride: It creates a safe, vibrant space for families to connect—passing what I call the "Stroller Test."
Bringing the NAK Spirit to Ward 6
As I run for Riverside City Council, I am focused on the Arlanza community. Arlanza is a neighborhood of "working-class perseverance" where families work hard and dream big for their children. I want to bring the Nakland and Big Bear models to Arlanza by:
Creating "Youth Opportunity Hubs": Partnering with local organizations to host youth festivals that provide both fun and direct paths to college and trade internships.
Outdoor Leadership Programs: Partnering with regional parks to ensure Arlanza youth have access to the same "horizon-expanding" outdoor experiences I provided for my brothers.
Mentorship Pipelines: Building a bridge from High Schools to Riverside’s leading industries, just as I built my own bridge from NAK to medical device engineering.
