Miroslava Chavolla
Architecture, Design, and the Arts'26
About
Miros is an Honors College student and a senior majoring in architecture. She is the president of Arquitectos and a student leader with UIC Orientation. She spends her free time sketching around the city and visiting new hiking/camping sites around the country.
Miros was born and raised in La Piedad, Michoacán, Mexico, and later moved to Chicago after her parents came to the United States for work. When she first joined UIC, she felt lost, and talking to new people was particularly challenging. She was not used to having full conversations in English, and it took time to adjust to both life in the U.S. and the classroom environment. However, during orientation, she distinctly remembers feeling warmly welcomed by the staff. While standing in line for check-in, she recalls thinking, “I want to be one of them,” and she went on to make that a reality.
Through Student Engagement, Miros found an incredible sense of belonging—one she has actively shared with others by helping them feel welcome at UIC as well. She believes her role at the university has always been centered on others, consistently seeking new ways to contribute and give back the support she once received.
Her involvement in Student Engagement throughout her time at UIC has allowed her to stay connected to campus life beyond the classroom and take advantage of numerous leadership and engagement opportunities. One of her most meaningful experiences was participating in two Alternative Spring Break trips. Through these experiences, she felt she was using her time more intentionally to benefit others, gaining valuable lessons and a deeper awareness that she brought back to her community. This inspired her to bring students from her organization to volunteer sites and to encourage others to apply for and participate in Alternative Spring Break as well.
After graduating, Miros hopes to secure an internship with a nonprofit organization focused on supporting underdeveloped communities and marginalized groups through architecture and community-based initiatives. She plans to return to UIC to pursue both a Master’s in Architecture and a Master’s in Construction Engineering and Management. With this knowledge, she intends to open her own architecture firm, equipping herself with the tools to serve others. Her ultimate goal is to create affordable housing and work alongside communities to foster empowerment, expanding opportunities by developing dignified and accessible living spaces.