When Jesus Raygosa arrived at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City in February as the new director of Student Life, he brought with him a passion for helping students succeed, a passion rooted in his own experiences as a first-generation college student.

Growing up in West Texas, Raygosa always knew his father expected him to attend college. What he did not know was how to navigate the process.

As a high school senior, Raygosa and his family attended what they believed was a college financial aid information session. The company hosting the event promised to help with admissions applications, scholarships and financial aid paperwork for a fee.

Months later, as he prepared to attend West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Raygosa discovered none of the promised applications had been submitted.

Rather than discouraging him, the experience shaped the direction of his career.

"It made me feel that I needed to share that information with other students," Raygosa said. "I knew that I wanted to help other students go to college and not necessarily go through that same issue that we went through."

That commitment led him into a career serving students through TRIO programs, recruitment and student engagement positions across Texas and Oklahoma. Before joining OSU-OKC, Raygosa worked in student support and engagement roles, including serving students from migrant families and helping first-generation students navigate higher education. He previously served as the director of TRIO and Student Support Services at OSU-Stillwater for 12 years.

The opportunity to return to the OSU family ultimately drew him to OSU-OKC.

"What really allowed me to find inspiration in this job is that I was going to be able to engage those students and still be able to share those OSU traditions and that family with them," Raygosa said.

At OSU-OKC, Raygosa faces a unique challenge. The campus serves students from a wide range of backgrounds and life stages, with many balancing careers, families and coursework.

While traditional students may seek clubs, organizations and campus traditions, Raygosa said nontraditional students often look for opportunities that fit within their busy schedules.

"Students, no matter the age, do want to connect to their institution," he said. "How they connect is completely different."

To meet those varied needs, Raygosa believes student programming must be equally diverse.

"There is no such thing as universal programming," he said. "Programming has to be diverse in itself."

His vision centers on creating a stronger sense of community across campus through events, traditions and partnerships with faculty and staff.

Student Life is already preparing a slate of activities for the fall semester, including Welcome Week events, a club fair, resource fair, community cookout and a planned movie night. Additional events under consideration include a Trunk-or-Treat celebration, a Friendsgiving meal and stress-relief activities during midterms.

For Raygosa, these events serve a larger purpose than entertainment.

"The reality is that much of our programs are about helping our students de-stress, connect with campus and get involved," he said.

He also views student engagement as an important part of student retention and success.

"Retention is everyone's job," Raygosa said. "Whenever things get tough, they have someone to turn to, and that's what motivates me. I like being the individual that others can turn to."

As he settles into his role, Raygosa said three principles guide his work: connecting, engaging and listening.

By listening to students and understanding their needs, he hopes to create experiences that help every student feel welcome and connected to the Cowboy family.

"The reality is higher education, the climate is always shifting," he said. "If you don't stop to listen, you miss out on things."