Saint Mary’s First International Student Body President, Daniela Rivera ‘27, Leader, Community Builder, and Changemaker

By LEYLANY RIVERA ‘28

Daniela Rivera ‘27 came to Saint Mary’s College with one goal in mind: “to get here, get my degree, and find my way forward.” 

When she arrived on campus from her hometown of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, she did not know that she would one day make history by becoming the first international student body president, discover a passion for mathematics, and pursue an engineering degree at the University of Notre Dame. She did, however, arrive with a desire that has remained constant through every unexpected turn: to give back. 

“I knew I definitely wanted to find a way to give back to Honduras, whatever my field of study was back then,” Rivera said. “I wanted to find a way to make an impact.” 

Years later, that desire continues to shape the way Rivera learns, leads,

 and builds community at Saint Mary’s.

Finding a Home Away From Home

Daniela’s journey to Saint Mary’s began 1,907 miles from campus. She grew up in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in a family rooted in faith, hard work, and community. She describes Honduras as a place filled with “traditions, history, wonderful people, and community,” and said growing up close to her family taught her the importance of being there for others.

When she began searching for colleges in the United States, Rivera wanted a Catholic institution where she would feel known rather than becoming just another number. While looking through a book of colleges and their statistics, Saint Mary’s stood out for its low faculty-to-student ratio and its mission of empowering women.

“I appreciate the personalized education that you get here at Saint Mary’s,” Rivera said. “I feel comfortable approaching my professor if I’m struggling with a topic or, if I want career advice.” 

Rivera never visited campus before committing. Instead, a Zoom conversation with her admissions counselor, Desiree Perez ‘22, helped her envision life at Saint Mary’s. Perez shared her own experience as a Belle and talked with Rivera about the College’s values and community.

Then came the move from Honduras to Indiana.

Although Rivera had learned English growing up, using it every day in a new country and in an educational environment was different. Homesickness and culture shock became part of the adjustment. Belles Connect, a pre-orientation program that connects underrepresented, first-gen, and homeschooled incoming first-year students with campus services and resources, became one of her first sources of community, connecting her with students navigating many of the same experiences.

Faculty members became part of that support system, too. Rivera remembers professors asking about home and checking in on how she was adjusting. “That made me feel like this was home already,” she said.

For Rivera, finding her community came down to one thing: getting involved. 

Building Community

From her first year at Saint Mary’s, Rivera became heavily involved in the Residence Hall Association (RHA), and later served as a formal chair. She also became involved with the Student Government Association (SGA) during her second-year on campus, eventually taking on executive positions before running for student body president. 

Her community expanded beyond Saint Mary’s as well. At Notre Dame, Rivera served as the outreach coordinator for the Latino Student Alliance before becoming the director for Latin Expressions, an annual student talent showcase and cultural event at the University of Notre Dame that celebrates Latino culture, art, music, and community. She said being the director was especially important to her because “Everyone just comes together and celebrates what being Latino means to them, and it truly has been so beautiful to be a part of that showcase.” 

Her involvement also gave her an opportunity to create the kind of community she had been searching for when she first arrived. As SGA’s Campus Inclusivity Chair during her sophomore year, Rivera worked closely with organizations such as La Fuerza, a student organization that celebrates Hispanic and Latinx culture and builds community, and began imagining ways Student Government could strengthen the Hispanic community on campus.

One of those ideas became the Inclusivity Council.

“A lot of the changes that you want to see—if you want to see them, make them happen,” Rivera said.

For Rivera, that commitment to community is inseparable from her Honduran identity.

“Whenever I think of Honduras, I think of community. I think of warmth,” she said. “I feel like that’s something that I have brought with me here.”

That sense of service extends beyond campus leadership. Rivera has volunteered with Young Life, spending time with students at Jefferson Middle School, and remains connected to her faith through Mass at Saint Mary’s and Coro Primavera, a Spanish-language choir at Notre Dame.

She also finds meaning in the quieter traditions of campus life. Rivera loves walking along the Avenue, and when Saint Mary’s instated the tradition of ringing its new bell, she had the opportunity to become the first student to ring it.

“Honestly, in some disbelief,” she reminisced of the moment. “It was just such a surreal experience.”