WKU News

When Diego Alcaraz-Monje arrived on the Hill from Lexington, Kentucky, he knew one thing for certain: writing had always been his way of understanding the world. What he didn’t know was how that passion would grow into something even more expansive.

“I came in knowing that I wanted to do creative writing because that’s something I’ve been passionate about since my freshman year of high school,” Diego shared. “But I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do with it. College was really about figuring that out.”

Now a double major in English (Creative Writing) and Journalism, Diego has already found a home in WKU’s storytelling community. His work with both the College Heights Herald and Talisman has not only honed his voice but also deepened his understanding of the stories that connect people.

“I joined the Herald and sat there for, like, 20 minutes just feeling everything out,” he recalled. “And I was like, this is kind of what I want my life to be. This is what I want to do.”

From Poetry to the Press

Although journalism has become a defining focus, Diego’s love of poetry remains at the core of his creativity. He credits his time at Kentucky’s Governor’s School for the Arts as a turning point in embracing poetry as more than just an academic interest.

“I used to hate poetry for a really long time,” he laughed. “But that summer I realized it was something I was passionate about—and something I wanted to keep close to me.”

For Diego, creative writing and journalism aren’t opposites but rather complementary ways of seeing the world. “Creative writing helps you look for a story,” he explained. “It helps you understand and portray things in a way that isn’t just plainly saying them.”

Building Community and Connection

Diego’s adjustment to college life has been both challenging and rewarding. Coming from a bustling city like Lexington, he admits that life in Bowling Green—and life without a car—has forced him to slow down and adapt.

“I’m kind of trapped on campus,” he said with a grin. “But the Herald and Talisman have given me a reason to go out to things I normally wouldn’t. They’ve helped me feel more connected to campus.”

He’s also found community through HOLAS (Hilltopper Organization of Latin American Students), where he’s built friendships and strengthened his cultural ties. “It’s been good to find people who share that background and experience,” Diego said. “It creates a little bit of home.”

Looking Ahead

As he looks toward the future, Diego hopes to expand his involvement on campus and help guide others through their own college journeys. Inspired by his own uncertainty as a senior in high school, he wants to give back through leadership roles like Spirit Masters or HonorsToppers, where he can share his experience with prospective students.

“I want to help people who aren’t so sure—because I get that,” he said. “My senior year, I had this big crisis of ‘what am I going to do?’ So if I can be someone who helps others through that, that would mean a lot.”

For Diego, college hasn’t been exactly what he expected—but in the best way possible. “I think college is a lot more alone time than people expect,” he reflected. “But it’s also a chance to really learn who you are and what you want to do.”

And in that space between poetry and prose, solitude and connection, Diego continues to write his story—one stanza, one headline, one Hilltopper experience at a time.