As a first-generation college student and single mother of two young children, Alyssa Garcia has overcome more than her share of challenges to graduate this spring with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. When she crosses the stage at Freeman Coliseum on May 19, she will already have a contract to teach third grade in North East ISD, the second-largest school district serving the San Antonio area.
It’s an achievement made even more remarkable by the road she traveled to get here.
“I am so proud of Alyssa,” said Robin Kapavik, professor and interim associate dean in the College of Education and Human Development. “She is a model student and one of the reasons I love working at A&M–San Antonio. Her success is built on grit and determination, and it’s a game-changer for her family and children.”
A San Antonio native and the oldest of six siblings, Garcia grew up in a household that struggled both financially and personally. There were periods when the family experienced homelessness, moving frequently between churches, shelters and the homes of friends.
“By the time I was 15, I had already attended eight different schools, so I was always the new student,” Garcia said. “But my parents did the best they could. I was always grateful just to have a roof over my head and something to eat, even if it meant waiting in line at a food bank or asking for help.”
The daily pressures of poverty were compounded for Garcia, as she also had to look after her brothers and sisters.
“In the Hispanic community, the first-born daughter is often expected to help play the role of parent,” she said. “I had to grow up really fast.”
Life became even more complicated when Garcia had two children while still in high school. At times, continuing her education felt like an impossible goal, but she was determined to build a better future for herself and her children.
She began her college journey at San Antonio College, where she earned an associate degree. As she considered where to transfer next, she toured the A&M–San Antonio campus with her mother.
“I just felt in my gut that it was the right place,” she said. “It felt like a close-knit, welcoming community. I was a nontraditional, first-generation student and didn’t know what I was doing, but everyone was so supportive. I knew I could find the resources and mentorship I needed. I wasn’t just a number.”
With the help of financial aid and support from the Ready to Work program, Garcia enrolled at A&M–San Antonio in 2022 and quickly found her footing.
She became a mentor for transfer students and served as president of JagsTEACH, a student organization that supports future educators through professional development and networking. During her time as president, she launched peer study support groups and organized interview coaching sessions with a local school district to better prepare her classmates for the job market.
Garcia also represented the University at state and national conferences, including the Texas Association of Future Educators, and worked as a student employee in the College of Education and Human Development.
Her academic performance and leadership earned her a spot in the University’s inaugural Enhanced Teacher Residency program, where she served as a teacher resident in a third-grade classroom. That experience ultimately led to her teaching contract with North East ISD.
All the while, Garcia worked a variety of jobs, including driving for Uber and DoorDash, to support her children and make ends meet.
Now, with graduation in sight, Garcia is looking ahead with optimism and pride. She hopes her journey will inspire her children and siblings to pursue their own goals, no matter the obstacles.
“Growing up, I was always in survival mode. I never knew what was coming next,” she said. “But now I feel like I can breathe. I think about everything I’ve been through and the times I wanted to quit. I didn’t, and now I’m ready to start my career and show my kids and my family what’s possible.”