“I want to help others achieve their dreams by documenting their stories to inspire others.”

Natalie Lopez is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communications and media at the University of Michigan. A first-generation college student, Natalie has returned to higher education multiple times over the past two decades, determined to complete her degree despite significant obstacles in her path. She received her associate’s degree in journalism from Grand Rapids Community College in 2023, and she’s on track to earn her bachelor’s degree in 2026.

Natalie persisted in her education while caring for her son, father, and grandfather, while also working full-time as an executive assistant. Before re-enrolling at university, Natalie established herself as a freelance photojournalist for The Community Voice/La Voz Magazine of Michigan, a bilingual Hispanic magazine based in Grand Rapids. She is also an entrepreneur, managing her own photography business.

Natalie is also a survivor of domestic abuse, and her story is one of courage and reinvention. In many ways, Natalie’s achievements represent not only personal success but also generational transformation, as she serves as a role model for her 19-year-old son. Natalie is grateful for the meaning that her son brought to her life: “He inspired me to wake up and believe in myself,” she says.

Ultimately, Natalie envisions giving back to her community. At U-M, Natalie earned the Mary Lou Butcher Equality in Journalism Scholarship for her outstanding promise for professional achievement in the news media and her commitment to diversity in the newsroom. She also plans to launch a photojournalism project to document the stories of trailblazers in every field: astronauts, dentists, doctors, filmmakers, designers, painters, musicians, and surgeons. “I want to help others achieve their dreams by documenting their stories to inspire others,” Natalie writes.

CEW+ recognizes Natalie’s incredible strength in returning to higher education and names her an AAUW: Mary Elizabeth Bittman Scholar.