Devin Briseno hopes to carve out a career as a filmmaker, but first he must complete the important role of being a college student. A transfer student, he has just begun his sophomore year at Illinois State University.  

Briseno grew up in the Chicago neighborhood of Andersonville on the city’s north side. He graduated from Von Steuben High School. A double-major in film and digital media and communication, his ambition is to work in the creative arts.

“I would love to be a filmmaker or at the very least work in the film industry in some capacity,” he said.

His hobbies, of course, include watching movies. But he has a variety of interests that include reading comics, listening to music, thrifting, going to raves, exercising, and hanging out with friends. He’s up for checking out the many outlets that Illinois State offers for extracurricular opportunities.

“I would love to join activities and clubs as I would love to meet new people and learn new things,” he said. “I used to run cross country, so I may try that out or anything else I see that looks interesting.”

Briseno chose Illinois State because it offered the perfect amount of everything he wanted, he said.

“It has a good film program, a campus close enough to home but still far enough to be independent, a nice town, and an affordable price,” he said.

He also received a transfer scholarship and a film scholarship, both of which he appreciated.

“It means a lot since paying for college is something I need to keep on top of,” he said. “I’m glad to have these scholarships to help me.”

His parents, Christina and Marcos, are at home offering support from afar, and he feels it.  

“I’m so grateful to them for always supporting me throughout all my life,” he said. “And for my friends who make my life so awesome and amazing.” 

As a transfer student, he’s living in Cardinal Court and ready for the big change of being on his own … sort of.

“I’m both excited and nervous about living with roommates as well as being away from home for so long,” he said.  

As part of the National Honor Society during high school, Briseno had the opportunity to learn some lasting and valuable lessons as a volunteer. He lent his time to a food shelter called Care For Real and was part of several cleanup crews at local parks.

“At the food shelter, I had a different role each time I was there,” he said. “I got to appreciate the hard work it takes to make a difference in a community.”

He learned about leadership being part of a program during high school where older students helped freshmen feel comfortable in their new school environment.

“Link Crew was the most significant contribution I made to my high school community,” Briseno said. “We welcomed freshmen to high school and helped guide them through their freshmen year.

“I learned that if something can go wrong, it will go wrong, so we were always prepared to make last-minute changes. Giving up was not an option. Link Crew taught me the lesson of never backing down from difficult situations.”

Briseno and his track teammates volunteered every year to help clean up the parks. He said he enjoyed the work because many of the areas they worked on were near his high school.

“I got to see a noticeable change in my environment by helping to improve my community,” he said. “I learned that I want to make the places I’m a part of better in any way that I can.”

He plans to keep that volunteer spirit going during his time at Illinois State.

“I want to be happy wherever I am, and I want other people to enjoy the same pleasures I am able to enjoy,” he said. “I don’t just want to passively live here as a student. I want to give back and continue making the best difference I can for my community.”

Read about all of the students featured in our “Newest Redbirds” series at News.IllinoisState.edu.