Azucena, known to her friends as Susy, already knows where she’s headed. As a first-year student at Texas State University studying agriculture with a minor in aerospace studies and participating in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), she is preparing to become an officer in the United States Air Force.
For many first-generation college students, the path to a university campus is anything but straightforward. College Possible Texas serves more than 5,000 college students across the state, and more than 80% are the first in their families to pursue a degree. For Susy, getting here was the first victory. What she’s building now is the next one.
Grounded in Passion, Aiming for the Horizon
“I wanted to do something different in the family,” Susy shares. “I picked my major in agriculture and my minor in aerospace studies because they are two passions I really enjoy and something I could blend together.”
Through her daily work with livestock and horticulture, Susy is gaining more than just technical skills. She views these challenging courses as the very things that are shaping her professional character. For Susy, her agriculture studies provide the essential hands-on experience, while her aerospace minor provides the “horizon” she is soaring toward.
A Coach in Her Corner
Susy’s journey with College Possible Texas began in high school. With the help of her access coach, she successfully navigated the complex world of college applications and financial aid. However, as any first-generation student attests, getting to college is only the beginning. Navigating the university landscape once you arrive is a brand-new challenge.
Even with a strong foundation, the jump to a university campus brought a seismic shift in scale and independence. “Coming here to college, I was super lost and scared. I didn’t really know what I was doing,” Susy remembers.
College Possible Texas continued to provide the support and was connected with her college coach, Ellie, at a College Possible event on campus. College Possible Texas pairs students with coaches who are recent college graduates themselves and understand the college journey firsthand. That connection turned feeling overwhelmed into something manageable.
“Having that support and knowing I could talk to someone who understands the college world made me feel confident, comfortable, and eager to take this journey,” Susy says.
Landing Prestigious Opportunities
This semester, Susy has been focused on a major milestone: securing a summer internship. With Ellie’s guidance, Susy applied for two prestigious, grant-funded internships in South Carolina and New Jersey. These programs are affiliated with the Research Through Agricultural Internships, Scholarships, and Experiential Learning (RAISE) program, a Texas State University initiative that provides housing, a stipend, and hands-on experience in pre-veterinary work and horticulture.
While many freshmen are still figuring out how to balance their schedules, Susy was already pitching herself for grant-funded research roles usually reserved for seniors. Ellie helped her with the daunting task of writing a cover letter by breaking it down into manageable steps. The result was a success. Susy has already been selected as an alternate for one of the programs, which is a massive achievement for a first-year student.
Modeling Leadership
When asked to choose one word to describe her future, Susy didn’t hesitate: “Leadership.”
It is a fitting choice for a student preparing to lead as an Air Force officer. For Susy, the Air Force will provide her rank, but her coach, Ellie, is providing her blueprint.
In the world of College Possible, leadership isn’t about giving orders; it is about giving students the tools they need to succeed. By meeting students where they are, Ellie provides Susy with a framework for the kind of leader she wants to become. Susy is learning to be a leader who is available, resourceful, and deeply supportive of others’ success.
Whether it is breaking down a complex internship application or offering a steady presence as Susy adjusted to campus life, Ellie’s coaching style serves as a real-world masterclass in relational leadership.
For students thinking of joining College Possible? “Take advantage of this program,” Susy says. “Get hands-on experience, because that is what is going to help you become a better leader in the future.” For Susy, that future is already taking shape; one semester, one opportunity, and one bold decision at a time.
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