Gabriella Nielsen

I started out at a community college as a first-generation student who didn't really know what to do or where to go. I began as an engineering student with the Texas A&M Engineering Academy, and through that program, I met my mentor who exposed me to Mexican American Studies. I really enjoyed that class because it talks about history that isn't really talked about, and I thought it was really important as a Latina to acknowledge our roots and the people who worked really hard to get us where we are. I've been independent since I was about 18 and have worked throughout college, usually about 2 jobs, and recently I had up to 4 jobs while maintaining a 3.6 GPA. I was chosen to represent the Alamo College District at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities conference in Denver in November 2024, where I spent a week doing advocacy work and meeting people from schools all over the nation. I also attended the HACU Capitol Forum in Washington, D.C. last month, where I met with Senator Cruz and Congressional Leader Escobar to advocate for funding for Hispanic-serving institutions after we faced about $350 million in funding cuts. I serve as Chair of Technology for the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education Committee of 2027, and I work as a representative for the Engineering Academy, going to new student orientations and academic showcases to share my experience with students. I've always said that the one thing nobody can take away from you is your degree, and I encourage everybody I know to go into higher education because I think it's super important.