Graduate Spotlight: Brianna Ugarte

Name: Brianna Ugarte

Age: 23

Course of Study (degree being earned): B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with Certification in Early Childhood – Grade 6 Core Subjects 

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

School has been a huge part of my life and has always been the most important thing to me. My parents have always pushed me to do well in school. I am the second child of three, so I have been the one left out and kind of the oddball of the family. Out of my brother and my sister, I am the one that has excelled in school. Even though I have had my fair share of ups and downs in school, I love it; it has changed me for the better and shaped who I am today. I didn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel at first going through school, but as the dust settled and cleared, I couldn’t wait to see what was in store for me. My education experiences are something that I would not trade for the world. Looking back, I know that I am about to complete one of the goals that I set for myself. I am about to be the first in my family to graduate college. I am excited that I am accomplishing some, although not all of my goals. Looking at my learning I would never think I would go through the hardships I did. 

What was your favorite class and/or who was your favorite professor and why?

Dr. Porter. 

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned over the course of your studies?

My education has made me think about everything that my life is today and has inspired me to become a teacher to help students like me and to hopefully make a difference. These experiences contain lessons that I have learned to make me a stronger person. I hope these experiences don’t make you look at me differently but see me and the strong woman that I aspire to be.  

What is your fondest memory of your time at UTSA?

Graduation. 

What are your plans for the future and/or your career?

This is not the end of my journey and I hope to accomplish more. I am grateful for all that I went through because it defines me as a person, as someone that I always wanted to be. As well as becoming the person I am and see my life on how I pursued through all the negative thoughts/comments. Seeing and writing this now, I see how I have persevered through all the negative thoughts and comments, and I realize that I am the strong woman that I want to be.  

 Congratulations to all of our 2021 COEHD graduates! See more COEHD graduate spotlights here 

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