On March 2, Vanguard University premiered “Always a Seat at the Table: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Jesse Miranda,” a 17-minute biographical documentary the Jesse Miranda Center for Hispanic Leadership commissioned. The film celebrates the life of the Latino evangelical leader whose vision helped create pathways to higher education, leadership, and unity for Hispanic communities across Southern California.
Premiering the Story of Dr. Jesse Miranda
The premiere brought together students, faculty, alumni, and community leaders to reflect on Miranda’s influence. The documentary combined interviews with family members, colleagues, and mentees to capture Miranda’s deep belief in empowering the next generation of leaders, especially first-generation and Latino students who often navigate higher education without a clear roadmap.
The film highlights the mission of the Jesse Miranda Center: to equip students to lead with cultural clarity within a Hispanic context through mentorship, leadership development, and strategic partnerships that serve campus, church, and community. The university also introduced a newly translated English edition of Miranda’s book, Liderazgo y Amistad (Leadership and Friendship), expanding access to his leadership principles for a broader audience.
Students Carrying the Legacy Forward
For many students, the documentary reflects a story they are actively living. Tracy Chavez ‘26, psychology major and sociology minor, grew from a hesitant freshman into a campus leader, serving as president of El Puente, diversity officer for Psi Chi, secretary of Vanguard’s ALPFA student chapter, and a teaching assistant in Sociology. Her journey mirrors the very leadership development Miranda championed. “Becoming part of the Jesse Miranda Center—and later serving as a leader and mentor within it—challenged me to step beyond that hesitation,” said Chavez. “It helped me find my voice, grow in confidence, and understand the responsibility that comes with leadership.”
Theology major Kimberly Camacho ’26 encountered the Jesse Miranda Center on her first day as a transfer student when she was invited to a class led by the JMC director. That invitation launched a mentorship journey that shaped her leadership style. “The JMC gave me countless opportunities to lead on campus, in church, and in my community,” said Camacho. “Through speaking, program development, chapel representation, and encouraging other students, I learned what it looks like to lead with purpose.”
Camacho soon stepped into leadership roles in her church and beyond, eventually co-launching After the One, a nonprofit dedicated to demonstrating Christ by meeting real needs in the local community. “Everything I learned through JMC shaped how I lead and serve,” said Camacho.
Continuing the Mission Through the Jesse Miranda Center
“Dr. Miranda believed in empowering the next generation, knowing that leadership is about building strong relationships, bringing others along, and faithfully passing the baton,” said Celina Canales, director of the Jesse Miranda Center for Hispanic Leadership. “This documentary is both a tribute and a call to action—to continue forming leaders who unite and strengthen their communities and serve with purpose. We want today’s students to see themselves in his story and recognize what is possible.”
Keep Reading: Los Angeles Times: “Vanguard University honors life of Jesse Miranda with new documentary”