Alumni Spotlight: Alán Benítez '20
A Conversation with Alán Benítez '20
October 21, 2026
This October, we’re proud to feature Alán Benítez ‘20, who returned to campus last week for our Alumni Culture & Community Celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month. As a Policy Analyst in the Office of Dr. Elba García, Dallas County Commissioner for District 4, Alán has built a career around public service, storytelling, and the connections between communities on both sides of the U.S.-México border.
Beyond his day-to-day work, Alán’s writing and research have reached a national audience. He is a contributing writer for Latino Leaders Magazine and was part of the research team behind the Index 500, the first issue to list and rank the top 500 Latino-owned companies in the U.S. with revenues over $10M.
Making Yourself Useful
Alán’s definition of purpose is simple and active.
Purpose means making yourself useful in whatever way you can,” he says. “It means using the talents you have, offering your time or simply lending a helping hand whenever possible.
He discovered it through Ms. Marcela Garcini, whose encouragement and dedication to her students showed him what that looked like in practice. “Her passion and commitment inspired me to bring that same energy into everything I do,” he says, “and to approach life with the same intention: to make a difference, support others, and use what I have to help those around me.”
The ESD Foundation: Voice, Leadership, and Service
Many of Alán’s ESD memories are about giving people a voice. In Mr. Phillip Bryan’s English class, he began each day by writing for five minutes about his purpose in life and why he does what he does. “He instilled in me one of the most important lessons of all: to philosophize about my own life and think deeply about my purpose,” Alán recalls. He credits that habit with helping him become “a powerful thinker and writer.”
As Opinions Section Editor of the Eagle Edition, he learned the responsibility of building an inclusive platform where every student could be heard. “I genuinely looked forward to every deadline,” he says, “finding joy in reading each submission and gaining a deeper appreciation for the diverse perspectives of my peers.”
As a member and later President of Latinos Unidos, Alán visited the Consulate General of México and the Univisión 23 DFW studios. Those trips planted the seeds for opportunities with both organizations later in his career.
His favorite ESD tradition is the ESD Spanish Conversational Club with Dallas ISD. Through the club, he worked with elementary students and could feel the impact right away. “The younger students were always excited to see us,” he says, “and it was incredibly rewarding to know that our time and presence could encourage them to believe in themselves and their potential.” The experience shaped his personal philosophy: a commitment to “elevating the voices and experiences of those who are too often overlooked, underrepresented, or forgotten.”
Education and Professional Excellence
- Undergraduate: University of Texas at Dallas; Communication and Leadership & International Relations
- Current Role: Policy Analyst, Dallas County, Office of Dr. Elba García, Commissioner for District 4
- Publications: Contributing Writer, Latino Leaders Magazine; research team member, Index 500
- Media: Featured on ABC Channel 8 WFAA-TV for participating, as a U.S. dual citizen, in the historic election of México’s first female president
- Certification: University of California San Diego; U.S.-México Relations
- Affiliations: Member, American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Jewish-Latino Alliance
Purpose: Proud to Be an Eagle
Looking back, Alán says his ESD experiences “helped shape who I am today and played a meaningful role in leading me to the career I have today. I am proud to call myself an eagle and a leader.”
Advice for Aspiring Public Servants and Writers
For current students who want to follow a similar path, Alán offers this advice:
- Get involved: “It is never too early to start learning more about your passions and discovering new interests.”
- Take every opportunity: Learn, connect with others, and gain experience wherever you can.
- Think across industries: Many fields are interconnected, so skills built in one organization can open doors in others.
- Step outside your comfort zone: It’s where the most important growth happens.
Every day, our alumni are fulfilling ESD’s mission by making an incredible impact on the world. From innovative entrepreneurs to community leaders to creative trailblazers, their stories are a testament to the power of our community and the values we share. This series is dedicated to showcasing the diverse paths our alumni have taken and the meaningful work they are doing. We believe their journeys will inspire you and highlight the many ways our alumni are living lives of purpose.
Are you an alum with a story to share? We want to hear from you!
Each month, we feature a new Alumni Spotlight, and we're looking for alumni stories to highlight your success, purpose, and impact. Whether you've launched a new business, led a community initiative, achieved a personal goal, or made a difference in your field, we want to celebrate your accomplishments. Ready to be featured? Submit your updates and achievements through the form below for a chance to be our next alumni spotlight.
