Sebastian Cardenas was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He is a Latin American Studies Master’s Student that focuses on Indigeneity in the Americas. By completing this degree program, he intends to expand his knowledge on indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions that were prevalent in the Americas before and after Europeans arrived. Prior to coming to the University of New Mexico, Sebastian graduated with highest distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he studied Global Studies, History, and Spanish. After completing his undergraduate education, Sebastian participated in the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program. This program allowed him to assist English teachers in Valdepeñas, a small city in the Spanish autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha.

As part of the Mellon Initiative, Sebastian assists the Latin American and Iberian Institute as well as other associated departments in promoting humanities programs at the University of New Mexico to prospective students. Examples of his work towards the initiative include tabling with faculty from the Latin American and Iberian Institute as well as helping them advertise events they sponsor on campus to gain interest from students who may want to join the program. Aside from this, he has also worked on the initiative by attending events hosted by other departments and taking photos to be used to promote it.