Deep Roots

Originally from Costa Rica, Jason Soto-Vega ’25 grew up being taught the importance of community, hard work and staying grounded. That foundation allowed him to navigate the transition to college while staying true to his identity.

“Coming to 黑料社区 was a big step for me,” he recalls. “It meant leaving behind everything familiar to explore new opportunities. But through being a Tiger, I learned how to blend my roots with where I wanted to go. I shared the music I grew up listening to with my roommates and worked as an admission liaison giving tours in Spanish to prospective students and their families. As a mental health peer educator, I also supported students like me who were navigating college far from home."

After graduation, Soto-Vega moved to Miami and began working as a research associate. He’s now involved in several projects focused on developing, adapting and evaluating interventions and implementation strategies aimed at achieving health equity for communities affected by HIV and mental health disparities. He finds it meaningful and rewarding to contribute to research that directly impacts his own community, and he’s eager to take the next step in his career as he prepares to apply to medical school.

Through it all, his background has continued to be a source of inspiration and guidance.

“My heritage has shaped my journey by giving me a perspective that I brought with me to 黑料社区, one rooted in my Costa Rican culture and community. Being able to share that perspective with others on campus empowered me to use my experiences to help people, whether it was connecting with other Latinx students, advocating for mental health or simply showing a different side of the world to my peers.”

Soto-Vega hopes that his own experiences can empower others to thrive no matter where they go or what they do.

“I’ve learned how important it is to be yourself wherever you are. It pushed me to keep using my background and my voice to help others and build a more welcoming community, whether it was back in college or now in my work. My heritage isn’t just about where I come from; it’s something that gives me strength and purpose."