Daily Inspiration: Meet Xavier Segura

Today we’d like to introduce you to Xavier Segura.

Hi Xavier, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey begins with growing up in a low-income, Hispanic community on the Southside of Tucson, where I am proud to be born and raised as a product of the Sunnyside and Tucson communities. I come from a loving, compassionate, and giving family who is known for their historical roots of establishing Arizona’s most infamous hot sauce, Poblano Hot Sauce.

Within 48 hours after high school graduation, I left for the United States Army where I served as an Infantryman, Recon, and Scout Sniper in the 10th Mountain Division, where I would later become a part of the Honor Guard. Shortly after my time in the service came to an end, I found myself as a First-Generation student who proudly attended and graduated from Pima Community College, the University of Arizona, the University of Arizona’s James E. College of Law, and Northern Arizona University.

While as a student during the middle of the pandemic, one of my former professors and amazing mentors at the local community college reached out to me about the opportunity of becoming a part-time professor in a department that I once graduated from. Sure enough, I thought it over and thought, “well, how hard could it be to be a professor?”, so I applied and was eventually extended the invitation to join the college.

As a part-time adjunct professor, I taught numerous adjunct courses for many years and experienced many rejections from full-time academic positions. Therefore, I used this as motivation and drive to improve myself professionally. I furthered my education, took advantage of many professional development opportunities, and started taking advantage of opportunities that would set me apart from other professors, while at the same time, I started to develop courses and curricula that had never been achieved before.

Shortly after that, I was hired at Northern Arizona University to teach as a criminology and criminal justice professor. Then, I progressed up the ladder and recently earned a higher appointment at the University of Arizona as an Asst. Professor of Practice. At the University of Arizona, I serve as an Asst. Professor of Practice where I teach Criminal Justice, Ethics, and Law courses in the School of Government and Public Policy.

Additionally, I have the phenomenal opportunity to mentor and advise many of the Arizona Criminal Justice and the University of Arizona W.A. Franke Honors College Students while serving on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. Some of my additional roles include serving as a Researcher for the Arizona Board of Regents, while additionally taking part on the Safety and Security Council in our Division.

At Pima Community College, I serve as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Administration of Justice and as a Law Professor for Pima JTED, a Senator on the Faculty Senate for the Workforce Division, while serving on multiple committees such as the LGBTQ+ College Climate Committee, Equity in Retention Committee, and as a HyFlex and OER Course and Curriculum Developer

Although there is often a perception that I am very young, there was much dedication, sacrifice, setbacks, time, and hard work that went into my professional journey to allow me to be as blessed and fortunate to be in the position and role that I’m in today. As a professor at Pima Community College, the University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University, I am very passionate, driven, and ambitious about my craft and work, and genuinely want every professional and student around me to succeed and be happy.

Was your journey hard? Absolutely. Being a first-generation, Latino kid, from the Sunnyside & South Tucson community, there are barriers and obstacles that I faced that many others experience today. To overcome those challenges, I had to self-reflect and analyze what I had to do to better myself and my community. Most importantly, I listened, observed, and learned from my mentors and the professionals around me.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road? Just like any other road, there are ups and downs and some potholes here and there, but it’s all a learning experience. There were many challenges, obstacles, and barriers that I faced, especially being a First-Generation, Latino, Former Army Veteran, from the Southside and Sunnyside Community.

To begin, growing up on the Southside of Tucson and in the Sunnyside Community from a loving family, my parents and family went above and beyond to provide for my sister and I. Just like many students of the historically underrepresented student populations, I am proud to say that I was one of those students. Throughout my time in college, I struggled financially just like many other students, and experienced what it was like to be on your own and not have the proper financial support to be well-off in college.

Therefore, with this experience, I use this in my current role at the community college and university level to help and assist other students by providing them with financial resources and mentorship so that they do not have to experience the same struggles that I did when I was in college. As a First-Generation student at a community college and university, you feel a sense of nervousness, fear, and the sense of not knowing what to expect in college and your professional journey.

Just like many other First-Generation students, I felt those same feelings and felt similar experiences. I had to reach out to phenomenal professors and leaders who are now my mentors, especially at Pima Community College and the University of Arizona. I encourage all First-Generation students to do the same. Find a mentor, a professional, a leader, who is genuine and willing to help you grow. Listen, Learn, Grow, and Do the Right Thing.

As a Former Army Veteran, it is quite difficult for many to understand this experience, but one of the challenges that I faced that many other veterans experience in today’s society is the transition from being a full-time Active Duty soldier back to a Civilian. This transition is still something that cannot be explained but is more of an experience. This transition is something that I still struggle with and experience today.

As I began my career as an Adjunct Professor, one of the struggles I often faced, was rejection. As I applied to many full-time positions throughout the education profession, I was often rejected as I was young and did not have enough experience or adequate education. However, I remained optimistic and used the rejection as motivation, ambition, and drive to become a better higher education professional and become the best-qualified professional.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a proud First-Generation, Mexicano/Latino, Army Veteran, Leader from the Southside and Sunnyside Community who is paving the way for other First-Generation (students), Latino/a/x, low-income families and youth, the LGBTQ+ community, and veterans, so these communities can witness firsthand that I was a product of a similar environment and became a successful professional in Higher Education.

As a Professor at Pima Community College, the University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona Univerisity, not only do I specialize in teaching criminal justice, ethics, and law courses, but I believe that I specialize in mentorship, advising, guiding, and genuinely/passionately enjoy helping all students of diverse populations on the right path to success. To best answer, what I am known for, I had a chance to gather words from my former students at Pima Community College, the University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University.

“Professor Segura is the best professor I’ve had. He genuinely cares about his students and is passionate about teaching. He is a very professional and respected professor and person, too. He inspires students to achieve anything that they aim for. If you have the chance, take a class with him and it is guaranteed that you will learn a lot.”

“Professor Segura has been one of my favorite professors so far because he is very fair in his assignments and genuinely cares about each of his students and their mental health while in college. He treats us all equally and gives everyone a chance.”

“Dr. Xavier Segura is such an inspiration, humble, and an Excellent role model. On the first day of school, he gave us a tour of the East campus, He always communicates with us, and never makes us feel like we were dumb or too old to seek higher education. I pray that Pima Community College would have more professors like Dr. Segura.”

“Professor Segura’s performance made this class easy for understanding the material that was covered. His way of teaching and incorporating ourselves as students in the slides means that he cares about his students and the willingness of humanity and is not seen them as a hierarchal setting. I will be taking an online course with Segura due to his amazing course.”

What am I most proud of? As many may say that they are proud of their accomplishments, awards, and recognitions, I am most proud of my students and everyone who is doing their best to become a better person and make this world a better place. I am MOST PROUD of those First-Generation, Single-Parent, LGBTQ+, Historically Underrepresented Students, Veteran Students, and Students with Disabilities who are doing their very best to better themselves every day. Words cannot express how proud I am of every student who is doing their best to attain and earn an education, and who is striving to excel in achieving their goals.

What sets me apart from others? I allow each student and person I cross paths with to determine that. I am a very passionate, driven, and ambitious professional about my craft and work, and I genuinely want each person around me to succeed. Therefore, no matter what education, position, title, or accomplishments one may have, I do not see myself as apart from others. I am just as equal and equally important as another person on the street.

What’s next?
My plans for the future include opening numerous $10,000 scholarships at Pima Community College, the University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University, where I intend to dedicate a portion of my salaries to continue helping students of historically underrepresented populations, veteran students, and all students of diverse populations financially.

Most importantly, I look forward to continuing my tremendous and exceptional work at Pima Community College, the University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona. I plan to continue helping community college students successfully transfer to the University, while I plan to continue mentoring and helping our Honors College and Criminal Justice students at the University of Arizona be accepted into graduate and Ph.D. programs around the world.

I am also looking forward to continuing my amazing work in the Sunnyside and Tucson communities and look forward to serving as a district board member, advocate, and leader for families and youth in the Sunnyside Community in the coming years. As I wrap up my Doctoral Studies, I look forward to using my Ph.D. to dismantle and tear down barriers and obstacles that many of our historically underrepresented, Latino/a/x, and LGBTQ+ student populations continue to face throughout our society.

But most importantly, I look forward to continuing using my platform as a voice and tool to help students achieve their goals and place a stronger focus on mental health (especially, student and veteran mental health), and I immensely look forward to continuing making this world a better place while I can.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sgpp.arizona.edu/people/xavier-segura
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xsegura94