A decade ago, Luis Carlos Flores Aguilar made a big move from rural Mexico to Edmonton. He had a fresh petroleum engineering degree in his hand but very little English in his vocabulary.
He immediately set out to change that, taking as many free language-learning classes as possible. “I was determined to learn the language to be able to settle and adapt to my new life,” says Flores Aguilar. When finding work in the oil patch with a foreign credential proved challenging, he completely changed gears and applied to MacEwan’s Public Relations diploma program.
“I remember my deep apprehension about having to pass a notoriously difficult entrance exam that would test my handle of advanced English grammar,” he says. Not only did he pass, but his dedication to mastering English had paid off, earning him top grades on that exam.
“To this day, I am so grateful for the many volunteers and the community of newcomers who helped me integrate into Canadian society while also serving as excellent role models in creating the type of community I want to be a part of.
He returned the favour repeatedly in the years that followed, volunteering countless hours to support language learning, Latin American students at MacEwan, and the Mexican and 2SLGBTQ+ communities in the city he now calls home.
“I felt it was only natural for me to give something back as a way to say thank you to Edmontonians,” he says. Flores Aguilar’s dedication to reaching his goals and commitment to his personal and professional communities made him a natural choice for an Alberta Newcomer Award, says Colin Babiuk, associate professor and program coordinator with MacEwan’s Public Relations program.
“Luis overcame incredible obstacles to find his place as a leader in his profession and local community,” says Babiuk. “He excelled throughout the challenging journey of becoming skilled in a field where language is key. We are proud to celebrate such an incredible MacEwan alum.”
But Flores Aguilar says that the award isn’t his alone. “Receiving the 2024 Newcomer Champion Award is a huge honour and a reflection of the collective hard work and talents of the entire Mexican community and the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Edmonton. I have had the privilege of working with and getting to know many amazing human beings in these communities.”
His work isn’t done. Flores Aguilar wants to continue pursuing more leadership roles and build his skillset – and others’ – through mentorship and training.
“I’d like to see more immigrants and ESL people join Alberta's communications and public relations industry,” he says. “Speaking English with an accent has sometimes been an obstacle in a field that expects high proficiency in English, but I have come to see my accent as a badge of honour and a point of connection back to where I came from.”