Capitol News

Elena Sweeney, a sophomore at James Madison College majoring in International Relations, serves as the vice president of Culturas de las Razas Unidas (CRU) at Michigan State University. Her involvement with CRU is deeply rooted in her personal history, beginning when her mother moved from Puerto Rico to East Lansing for graduate studies.

Sweeney shared her experience growing up in Michigan and maintaining a connection to Puerto Rico through family visits and cultural experiences. She expressed a desire for others to appreciate Puerto Rico's beauty and recognize its challenges.

Finding community on campus was important for Sweeney, leading her to join CRU. "CRU is a student organization that serves as a cohesive voice of the Hispanic/Latine community on campus and builds community through providing programming and support to our students," she explained. Through CRU, Sweeney has connected with many students and faculty members who have made her feel welcome.

Sweeney's journey within CRU began as an intern on the executive board, progressing to her current role as vice president. One notable experience was attending the 2024 United States Hispanic Leadership Institute Conference in Chicago. Under her leadership, CRU organized significant events like the Dia de la Mujer conference and Dia de los Muertos celebration.

Beyond event planning, CRU collaborates with various departments at MSU and supports affiliate organizations. Sweeney highlighted the behind-the-scenes work involved in these activities. Recently, she secured funding for 27 MSU students to attend the 2025 USHLI Conference.

Reflecting on her achievements with CRU, Sweeney recalled a conversation with her mother about building a strong Hispanic/Latine community at MSU. Her mother's words emphasized the significance of their efforts: “To hear music that sounds like home or have food that tasted like home” would have been meaningful during her time in Michigan.

This article first appeared on the James Madison College website.