Rafael Francisco Perez, a member of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. (NAK) at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Order of Omega 1959 Scholarship, a national recognition awarded to top fraternity and sorority leaders.
Order of Omega recognizes the top 5% of student leaders within the fraternity and sorority community, honoring excellence in leadership, academics and service. This year, 88 scholarships were awarded across more than 50 campuses in the United States, Canada and The Bahamas.
Perez, a third-year informatics major with a specialization in human-computer interaction, is also pursuing a double major in game design and interactive media, along with a minor in Chicano and Latino studies.
“I was honestly surprised,” Perez said. “I felt very honored to be selected…not just representing myself, but representing our brothers in my chapter, across California and across the country.”
A member of Nu Alpha Kappa since fall 2023, Perez credits the fraternity with providing a sense of belonging during a pivotal time in his college journey.
“When I came to UCI, I didn’t really feel like I belonged,” he said. “Meeting the brothers gave me an immediate sense of family. That support is what kept me here.”
Leadership rooted in community
Perez’s impact on campus spans leadership, mentorship and cultural advocacy. He has served as a resident advisor, worked in orientation programs and supported thousands of incoming students through transition initiatives.
Perez’s leadership has also been formally recognized at UC Irvine. In 2026, he was named MSFC Member of the Year, one of the highest honors awarded by the Multicultural Sorority and Fraternity Council at UC Irvine, recognizing outstanding campus leadership, service and community impact.
Among his most notable contributions is co-founding a mariachi group at UC Irvine, an initiative he describes as both personal and transformative.
“Starting mariachi was one of the most meaningful things I’ve done,” Perez said. “It became a way to represent my culture and show that Latinos belong in higher education spaces.”
Through this work, Perez has helped create visibility and community for Latino students on campus, turning his early challenges into opportunities to uplift others.
“I wanted to reduce the feelings of loneliness that I felt when I first arrived,” he said. “Now I get to see others express their culture and feel that sense of belonging.”
A “community-made” achievement
While the scholarship recognizes individual achievement, Perez emphasized the collective effort behind his success.
“I don’t feel like I won this scholarship alone,” he said. “I consider myself a community-made scholar. Without the support of my brothers and my community, this wouldn’t have been possible.”
That perspective reflects the values of Nu Alpha Kappa, which he says shaped his leadership style and approach to collaboration.
“It taught me how to work with others and navigate challenges as a team,” Perez said. “That’s something I carry into every space I’m in.”
National recognition of leadership
Carlos Mendoza, national president of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc., praised Perez’s achievement and its broader significance for the organization.
“Rafael’s recognition by the Order of Omega reflects the very best of Nu Alpha Kappa: leadership, resilience and a deep commitment to community,” Mendoza said. “His journey is a powerful example of how our brotherhood empowers members to not only succeed academically, but to uplift others and create lasting impact on their campuses and beyond.”
Supporting future goals and Rafael’s journey
The scholarship will help support Perez’s upcoming international internship in Japan, where he will work as an AI engineer implementing large language models and chatbot technologies for business applications.
“Receiving this scholarship lifted a huge weight off my shoulders,” he said. “It makes this opportunity feel real and achievable.”
Perez hopes the experience will not only advance his career but also serve as inspiration for others.
“I want people who look like me to see that this is possible,” he said. “I didn’t always see that representation growing up, and I want to help change that.”
As Perez prepares for his summer internship abroad, he is continuing to raise funds to help cover program and travel expenses.
Brothers, alumni and supporters who wish to contribute to his journey can learn more and donate here.
Giving back to the next generation
Looking ahead, Perez plans to continue mentoring fellow students and giving back to Nu Alpha Kappa.
“I want to come back and be a resource,” he said. “Whether it’s helping with resumes, graduate school or career paths, I want to support the next generation the same way others supported me.”
He also offered advice to fellow undergraduate members striving for excellence:
“You never really know what you’re capable of until you try,” Perez said. “Even if you fail, it’s part of the process. Just keep putting your name in the bucket and going for it.”
For Perez, the recognition is not a final destination, but a stepping stone.
“My story doesn’t end here,” he said. “This scholarship is an investment; not just in me, but in future Latino leaders.”
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