DU Senior Recognized with Student Laureate Honor from Lincoln Academy of Illinois

Dominican University senior Ingrid Bustos Aleman was honored as a 2024 Student Laureate by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois during a ceremony held Oct. 26 in Springfield.

Bustos Aleman, a history and secondary education major, was among 49 student laureates from each four-year university in Illinois who were recognized for excellence in academics and service, and for representing the “Spirit of Lincoln” in having overcome obstacles to achieve success. Each student was presented with the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award, a Lincoln medallion and a financial award from the Lincoln Academy.

Dominican University put Bustos Aleman’s name forward for recognition based on nominations from two staff members who noted her commitment and outreach to undocumented populations.

“Receiving the Lincoln laureate award has been a great honor,” Bustos Aleman said. “I was always passionate about social advocacy work surrounding the undocumented community, so I loved doing all of the work that I've done during my time at Dominican. And I will continue to do the work and continue to work hard for a future that I want to see.”

Through Arthur J. Schmitt Scholar Foundation projects, Bustos Aleman has helped undocumented high school students navigate the college application process and designed the podcast Undocumented Archives to amplify the personal stories of individuals who are living undocumented. She also serves as president of the university’s Undocumented and Immigrant Allyance, coordinating the first Coming out of the Shadows rally and celebration on campus and leading student outreach opportunities to help Chicago’s migrant community.

Through two Ministry en lo Cotidiano fellowships, Bustos Aleman has worked with YEMBA Inc., a youth empowerment organization in Oak Park, and Quinn Center of St. Eulalia in Maywood, to tutor students and identify ways to improve the organizations’ work sites. Working with DU’s Office of Justice, Equity and Inclusion, Bustos Aleman has collaborated with staff on planning campus events about the office’s mission.

“Ingrid consistently advocates for the most vulnerable populations at Dominican and beyond,” wrote Armando Guerrero Estrada, director of Dominican University’s PASOS Network, in his nomination letter. “Grounded in the deep wells of the Catholic faith, Ingrid not only embodies the Dominican values of Caritas et Veritas, but she also lives out the Biblical mandate of serving the ‘least of these.’”

Yessy Hernandez, assistant director of Dominican University’s Center for Cultural Liberation and coordinator of undocumented student support, also nominated Bustos Aleman for the Lincoln Student Laureate award. In her nomination, she noted Bustos Aleman’s active engagement with other students.

“Aside from her strong academic and professional and social achievements, Ingrid is a role model and support system to her peers,” Hernandez wrote. “Her openness to new experiences and her dedication to advocating for all communities have contributed to her development into a strong and compassionate leader.”

The 50th Annual Student Laureate Ceremony took place on the University of Illinois Springfield campus.

The Lincoln Academy honors individuals, in part, for contributing to the “betterment of humanity.” More about Lincoln Academy Illinois and its recognition of students can be found here.