ATLANTA — After leaving Boston, Levys Reyes (B.B.A. '25) found a home away from home as a Georgia State Panther. Through his involvement in various campus organizations, he found a sense of community and belonging that has shaped him into a leader dedicated to empowering those around him.
Set to graduate cum laude Dec. 18 from the J. Mack Robinson College of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting, Reyes is working to use the skills and knowledge he's acquired to serve the community. Before walking across the stage, he sat down to talk about his journey.
Tell us how you got to Georgia and why you made such a big move.
Growing up in Boston, I didn’t feel connected to my Hispanic culture. Living in Atlanta has introduced me to other cultures and helped me reconnect with my own. In Boston, I didn’t see many people who looked like me, or came from similar backgrounds, in positions of influence. Moving here motivated me to make a difference in my community and to be the leader I didn’t see growing up.
Can you tell us about your involvement with the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA) at GSU?
Before coming to GSU, I attended a community college and wasn’t very involved. When I transferred, I made it my mission to get involved with the Latino community, and ALPFA was the first organization I joined. I was an active member — always showing up early, helping set up events and volunteering wherever I could. After a year, I applied for the head-of-finance position on the executive board and was selected.
Why did you choose to be head of finance?
It aligned with my major, and the former head of finance was someone I really looked up to. She came from a similar background and landed a job at a top-tier firm. I wanted to follow in her footsteps.
What has been your favorite experience with ALPFA?
Attending the national convention in Las Vegas. As head of finance, I helped secure $3,300 in funding from GSU so our members could attend. It took a lot of work, but seeing students enjoy the trip, meet employers and get interview opportunities made it all worth it.
It taught me how meaningful leadership can be. Moments like that showed me how impactful ALPFA is for the Latino community at GSU.
What other organizations are you a part of?
I’m also a member of Lambda Theta Phi, a Latino fraternity. Like ALPFA, it is very community driven. Our chapter’s philanthropy supports families of detainees at the Stewart Detention Center. We help families visit loved ones, provide food and lodging and visit those without family. It is an incredibly humbling experience and deepens my connection to the broader Hispanic community.
What internship opportunities have you had since coming to GSU?
I have had three so far. My first was as an accounting intern at Enterprise in summer 2024. Then I worked as a tax intern at Windham Brannon, a midsize accounting firm, in spring 2025. Currently, I am an audit and tax intern at Rödl & Partner, a German accounting firm.
What impact do you hope to make on your community?
I want to be an empathetic leader who represents and uplifts the Hispanic community, especially as we face challenges due to new policies and regulations. I hope to use my voice to support those without one.
I want to create spaces where people can talk and listen. I hope I can create and establish a sense of community wherever I can — by talking to people, listening to their voices and hearing their opinions. What I have realized is that we agree with each other more often than we think. Sometimes, it just takes one person — whether that is me or someone else — to create an environment where people can come together, talk and really see one another. That is what I am about: Connecting with people and building spaces where we can all belong.
Who motivates or encourages you to do your best?
The student leaders who came before me in ALPFA really inspired me. They were active, successful Latino students who showed me what is possible. Now, I am motivated by my peers and new GSU students. Their excitement and energy remind me why I started and keep me going, even when I am tired.