First Generation Constantin Scholars

Janicia Gonzalez is an incoming freshman from Midlothian, TX and a 2021 UD
Constantin Scholar. She plans to major in Psychology and says it’s a great honor to bethe first person in her family and siblings to attend college. She hopes to set an examplefor them to look up to so that her brothers set big goals for themselves, too.

Adolfo Angel Rojas Zamora is an incoming freshman Business major from McKinney, TX. He is a 2021 UD Constantin Scholar. He looks forward to attending UD and valuesthe dedication that the university gives first-generation students to thrive.

Sheila Lam is an incoming freshman from Santa Ana and a 2021 UD Constantin Scholar.  Sheila will major in Biology. As a first-generation student in the Constantin Scholars Program, she is happy to have been given the opportunity to improve her skills in language arts.

Leila Bell is an incoming freshman from Grapevine, TX and a 2021 UD Constantin Scholar. Leila will be majoring in Comparative Literature. As a first-generation student in the program, she is most excited for the academics of the university.

Consuelo Gala Gutierrez is an incoming freshman from Garland, TX and a 2021 UD Constantin Scholar. She plans to major in Business and really appreciates all the sacrifices made by her peers that have allowed her to be successful.

Kodi Stokes is an incoming freshman from Aubrey, TX and a 2021 UD Constantin Scholar. She plans to study Psychology. Kodi really values the help she’s received from the UD Team in navigating financial aid resources.

Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Interests: Psychology and pre-med; theology and philosophy; asking big questions surrounding metaphysics; engaging in civil discourse with peers and fellow classmates; Korean pop music.

Born and raised in Dallas, Juanita Acosta is passionate about baking, trying new recipes, painting and reading. Her high school activities included Future Health Professionals, student council (serving as president her junior and senior years), the Dallas Teen Board and a K-pop club. Juanita chose UD because of its commitment to excellent education, its small size, the Core Curriculum and the atmosphere. She hopes to receive a degree in psychology on the pre-med track and become a physician assistant, and she believes that learning how to discuss and form a logical argument civilly will help in both her professional and personal lives. 

Hometown: Irving, Texas
Interests: Drawing, sketching and painting; biology and engineering; celebrating and learning new traditions; engaging in academic debate; writing and reading literature.

A native of Irving, Aisha Ramos enjoys reading, drawing, sketching and painting. In high school, she was part of the debate team, writing team and craft club. She chose UD because of the focus on classical education and critical thinking; she is looking forward to UD’s traditions, especially Charity Week, as well as the Core Curriculum’'s emphasis on literature. She is planning to major in biology with a concentration on pre-engineering. As a first-generation student, she is excited and feels like she is establishing something for her family. “If I can do this, then my siblings can do it too," she said.

Hometown: Plano, Texas
Interests: Learning new languages; arts and crafts; biology and business; cultivating personal relationships and meeting new people; medicine.

Blessing Okereke grew up in Nigeria before moving to the U.S. with her family. Already bilingual, she is passionate about languages and is now learning Spanish and Korean. Blessing enjoys arts and crafts and was involved in the International and Unity Clubs in high school. She plans to major in biology with concentrations in business and Spanish. At UD, along with the incredible education, she hopes to make connections and memorable friendships and someday become a physician assistant. “A first-generation student is often more thankful for the opportunity to attend a higher education institution, especially in the U.S.,” she said. “Also, I genuinely have a blank slate; I can only grow and go up from here.”

Hometown: Richardson, Texas
Interests: Drawing, theater, speech and debate; playing the violin; critical thinking; engaging in civil discourse with peers both in and outside the classroom; fostering lifelong friendships.

Born and raised in Dallas, Martha Raborg expresses her creativity through drawing, music, theater, speech and creating digital and 2D art. In high school, she played the violin and participated in speech and debate. Martha plans to study business and maybe economics/finance; she would like to minor in Spanish, though she is already fluent, with a focus on grammar, and hopes to later enter a master's program to study international business. At UD, she hopes to find a sense of community and enjoys the culture of discussing academics outside the classroom, leading to fellowship and the creation of lifelong friendships. “Being a first-generation college student is intimidating but will make me more independent,” she said.

Hometown: Coppell, Texas
Interests: Performing in choir; psychology and medicine; making new friends; spending time with his brother and the rest of his family; pioneering the way and setting a positive example for others.

Bryan Velazquez grew up in Garden Grove, California. In high school, he was a member of Future Health Professionals and choir. Bryan would like to major in psychology with a pre-med track; he is looking forward to making new friends and meeting new people. “As a first-generation student, I feel like I’m leading the way for others, especially my brother, who’s currently navigating high school,” he said. “I’m so thankful for the experience of UD.”

Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Interests: Playing soccer and music (guitar) with friends; automotive photography; business; embracing new and unique educational experiences.

Born and raised in Dallas, Christian De Leon is excited to participate in the business program at UD, where he hopes to grow as a person, meet new people, learn what he is passionate about and gain the tools and skills he needs to succeed. He looks forward to UD’s unique educational experience. While the university's faith aspect is not the main reason he chose UD, he does see it as a positive.   

Hometown: Seagoville, Texas
Interests: Expressing and expounding on her Catholic identity; creating DIY art projects; baking and cooking; volunteering in local hospitals and interning at UT Southwestern; biology and medicine; learning Italian; establishing new friendships; writing and literature.

Born and raised in Dallas, Annette Herrera enjoys art, baking and cooking. In high school, she participated in Green Club and the school senate, volunteered at hospitals and interned at UT Southwestern. Annette chose UD for its Catholic identity and hopes that it will help her grow in her faith. She is also excited about the focus on literature through the Core, though she plans to major in biology with an Italian concentration, while creating remarkable friendships and challenging herself to become a better person. “I believe my Hispanic first-generation status is an incredible opportunity to prove people wrong about the assumptions they make,” she said. “I can show people that with the right amount of effort and determination, you can do it.” 

Hometown: Venus, TX
Interests: Playing music, especially percussion instruments in band; powerlifting and playing sports; expressing his Catholic faith; business and philosophy; engaging peers in thoughtful discussions and always thinking of the bigger picture.

Elias Cervera enjoys music, especially percussion, powerlifting and sports (he played football for seven years and soccer for four). In high school, he was the debate team captain and a band member, as well as placing fourth out of 30 teams in mock trial. At UD, Ellias plans to major in business and hopes to create a healthy and robust social life. He intends to attend law school after graduation, focusing on corporate law. “As a first-generation student, sometimes it can feel like a disadvantage because my parents don't have the background or the first-hand experience attending a university, but the advantages are that first-generation students can set their expectations for themselves, which motivates us,” he said.

Hometown: Irving, Texas
Interests: Playing basketball and Xbox with friends; performing in band and playing the flute; studying academics as a member of the National Honor Society; volunteering at the local animal shelter and running around with his dogs; studying medicine and spending time with his parents.

Born and raised in Irving, Francisco Rios enjoys playing basketball and XBox and hanging out with dogs. In high school, he played the flute in band, was a member of the National Honor Society and volunteered at an animal shelter. Francisco hopes to pursue the pre-veterinary and pre-medicine tracks, going on to veterinary school after graduation. He is looking forward to making good friends and hopes that his education at UD will assist him with language and grammar, providing opportunities for internships. “I’m excited to make my parents proud through my education,” he said.