A Road to Success

A road to success or a road to nowhere were two options many of my peers and I faced when we were growing up.  In my 8th grade year, I had the privilege of being a participant in the University Outreach Center - San Antonio.  During the orientation, the Director talked about college opportunities available us.  I was not only motivated but inspired to know that I, too, could follow a road to success.  My hopes and dreams were to make my parents proud of me. I knew that earning a degree would play a major part in this. University Outreach taught me skills to be on task with high school academic coursework, college and financial aid application deadlines, and leadership that would prepare me for my scenic view of the college process.  

I participated with the UOC throughout my years in high school, and then worked with the program during my college years as a student assistant with the University Jumpstart Summer program. I also visitied various colleges for a first-hand experience, something i may not have been able to do on my own, because of being a first-generation college student from a low socioeconomic family.

With the help from this great program and its caring staff, I graduated from high school and from what I feel is one of the best institutions in higher education, The University of Texas at San Antonio, where I received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Degree.

The program that once helped me as a student still helps me in the work that I do today, which is helping students to acheive their dreams of higher education. Currently I work for Texas A&M University as a Senior Admissions Counselor. Because of the help that I received from the University Outreach Center, it influenced me to pursue this field. I am excited to help students on their roads to success. Through my profession, I have served in leadership positions, such as Human Relations Committee Chariman of the Texas Association for College Admissions Counseling, and as Sallie Mae Fund Bus Tour national Spokesperson. My road to success has been one full of many adventures, but thanks to University Outreach I was able to accomplish the goals I set for myself and will continue to strive for more.

Ismael H. Rodriguez Jr.

Lanier High School
Class of 1997

The University of Texas at San Antonio
Bachelor of Business Administration
Class of 2002