Phenomenally Us: Raquel Lopez’s Journey of Leadership, Service, and Legacy

Raquel Lopez exemplifies a rare balance of ambition and meaningful service. Her story isn’t just about leadership—it’s about fostering authentic connections with her community, staying true to her values, and shaping a vision for a brighter future. As we celebrate Founders’ Week under the theme “Phenomenally Us,” Raquel’s journey highlights the beauty of purpose-driven action and the legacy-building power in everyday choices.

Building a Legacy Beyond Letters  

When Raquel “Eirys” Lopez joined the Epsilon Chapter of Delta Tau Lambda Sorority, Inc., in the fall of 2023, she expected to find sisterhood. What she didn’t expect was how profoundly it would transform her.  

“I joined for the sisterhood but gained so much more,” Raquel says with a quiet confidence.

Through her involvement, she has mastered professional skills like public speaking and networking, learning how to navigate both the world of academia and her broader community with poise.  

Her leadership roles within the sorority include a rich array of responsibilities: Vice President, Secretary, Co-PR Chair, and Sisterhood Chair. While the titles are impressive, what stands out most is the way Raquel approaches them—with a belief in collaboration, humility, and accountability.  

“Sisterhood is about more than just being there for someone. It’s about lovingly pushing them to be better,” she explains.  

But her influence doesn’t stop within the sorority. As Vice President of the Central American Student Alliance and a mentor to first-year public health majors, Raquel extends her commitment to leadership across multiple communities. Whether she’s helping her chapter achieve its goals or guiding a mentee through the challenges of freshman year, her focus remains simple: “Legacy is making an impact—no matter how small—on those around you. 

Leadership Rooted in Service  

For Raquel, leadership has always meant service. A Public Health major with a minor in Emergency Management, her commitment to equity in healthcare is personal.  

Growing up as the daughter of a diabetic mother, Raquel witnessed firsthand the gaps in culturally competent healthcare. Her mother’s struggles to navigate a system that didn’t account for linguistic or cultural barriers planted the seeds of her passion for public health.  

That passion took on new urgency during hurricane relief efforts in Florida, where Raquel worked tirelessly to assist Spanish-speaking families in accessing food, water, and shelter. “Why don’t we have more professionals who understand other cultures?” she often asks—a question that continues to drive her work.  

Her vision for healthcare is rooted in empathy and accessibility. Through her studies and volunteer efforts, she is striving to ensure that underserved communities, particularly Latino families like her own, receive the resources and care they deserve.  

Mentorship as a Form of Leadership  

R

aquel’s impact extends far beyond formal roles. As a mentor for public health students in her residence hall, she’s developed a hands-on, approachable style of guidance.  

“For me, being a mentor isn’t about weekly meetings or check-ins. It’s about being there when someone needs you,” she explains. Whether helping a mentee with coursework or simply lending an ear, her focus is on building trust and fostering growth.  

A Phenomenal Legacy  

Raquel Lopez’s story is one of quiet determination and unyielding purpose. Whether she’s leading her sorority, advocating for healthcare equity, or mentoring the leaders of tomorrow, she approaches each challenge with the same guiding principle: to leave things better than she found them.  

Her journey embodies the very spirit of “Phenomenally Us.” It’s a reminder that leadership is not about the size of the stage but about the depth of the impact. Raquel’s legacy—still in the making—is not one of grand gestures but of steady, compassionate action.  

She is a sister, a mentor, a leader, and most importantly, a builder of bridges. And in doing so, Raquel Lopez shows us what it truly means to be phenomenal.