NOVEMBER 29, 2021 — At just 20 years old, Gisselle Torres is preparing to bid UTSA farewell, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication. Completing an undergraduate program at such a young age, especially in a pandemic, has not been easy. Yet, she’s maintained her determination since day one.
Gisselle already had her eyes on college as a freshman at G.W. Brackenridge High School, where she participated in a dual credit program with St. Philip’s College. She started with two dual credit classes. By her senior year, her course load was 100% dual credit.
Gisselle’s desire for knowledge drove her toward dual accreditation. Her school’s dual credit option was also attractive because she knew the classes would reduce her college expenses.
By the time she had earned her high school diploma, she also had earned an associate’s degree from St. Phillip’s. This would save her thousands in tuition.
Gisselle looked forward to a traditional college experience, but only had a semester completed before the coronavirus pandemic disrupted everyday life. She became greatly discouraged by her college experience when all of her classes went online. She still performed well, but she found it hard to keep going at times.
Her friends and family provided continuous encouragement and praise. Throughout her education, her family provided emotional and financial support. She looked for a job so she could support herself, but the pandemic created a job shortage. Despite that, Gisselle sustained her education by living at home with her family and by utilizing financial aid.
“FAFSA allowed me to pay about of half of my tuition. I would tell future UTSA students to never be afraid to take out loans or to apply for FAFSA,” Gisselle said. “There’s a negative view of loans, but they can help in the long run, especially if you do not have the money to pay your tuition each semester. After graduation, I know I will be able to pay most of my loan back.”
Gisselle calls her father, Diego Torres ’99, her hero. Over the last several years, he has shared stories about his own Roadrunner experiences to encourage her pursuit of higher education.
“He gave me advice about how to not let people discourage me from getting my degree. Most of his friends had dropped out of college and this discouraged him,” she said. “Hearing his story made me realize that I should not get discouraged. One needs to find new friends, not to hang on to old ones who will put me in the wrong direction. At UTSA, I’ve made many new friends who are proud that I am graduating early, and for that I am forever thankful.”
Gisselle will cross the UTSA Commencement stage as part of the Honor Society. She plans to find a job as a content editor or as a social media manager. Eventually, she aims to relocate to a bigger city such as Dallas or Houston.
“During the pandemic, music from groups like BTS motivated me and kept me mentally healthy. Now, I want to go to more concerts—live a fuller life,” said the 20-year-old.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
This academically rigorous mathematics-based summer enrichment program prepares middle and high school students for advanced studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Participants learn about problem-solving systems, develop greater awareness of STEM careers and strengthen their research skills.
UTSA Main CampusArchaeology 101 will introduce campers to archaeology and build on learned skills through experimental activities (like cave painting, weaving, and garbology).
Center for Archaeological Research, UTSA Main CampusThe camp exposes rising high school juniors, rising seniors and incoming college freshman to the many facets of the criminal justice system. Students will have opportunities to learn the functions of police in society and apply scientific theories to criminal investigations by examining a mock crime scene.
UTSA Main CampusThe Academy for Teacher Excellence Research Center invites you to join us for the Summer Bridging Institute. This institute will focus on being lifelong growers and continually seeking to increase our skills as educators.
UTSA Downtown CampusArchaeology 201 will briefly go over the foundations of archaeology and related skills, followed by a different topic over the course of this week (like skeletal analysis, global cultures, and more).
Center for Archaeological Research, UTSA Main CampusCraft a comic to create your own narrative and find your voice through storytelling. Participants will learn to create characters that are self-reflective and through a community lens.
REGSS Community Room (DB 3.202,) UTSA Downtown CampusCome enjoy a discussion on art as a self expression in the age of moving technology and telling your story with a community.
REGSS Community Room (DB 3.202,) UTSA Downtown CampusThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.