1 minute read
IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
VANESSA GONZALEZ ’19 AMERICAN STUDIES
HOMETOWN: Washington, D.C.
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Dreaming Big
Vanessa Gonzalez has been completely independent since age 17 and is the first member of her family to graduate from college. Despite working several jobs at once and struggling with health challenges, she earned an associate degree from Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) and graduated from UMBC as a Sherman STEM Teacher Scholar with a 4.0 GPA. She has big dreams that she’s on the path to achieving: to teach math in Baltimore City and one day travel with the Peace Corps.
Pursuing What She Loves
“Every now and then there are hiccups, but I went from never believing that I would make it past 18 years old to being 24 and accomplishing so much… And I’m pursuing exactly what I love,” she says. “I’m excited every day. It’s just nice having happiness.”
A Chance to Give Back
Now that she’s made it this far, with the support of the Sherman Scholars staff and her American studies mentors, Gonzalez wants to give back to the community. “My goal is to be a part of the change that I’d like to see,” says Gonzalez, voicing the goal of so many UMBC students. “I want to be part of helping lift up a community that deserves more.”
