Alumni Spotlight: Alexander Vasquez

As a mixed student who is white and Mexican American, North Middle School often didn’t feel like the most comfortable place. College Dreams* however gave me the opportunity to connect with Brenda Aguilera, a Latina mentor with a similar identity who I connected with quickly and became really close with. 

Brenda always kept on me with scholarships, deadlines, and different programs for my future. As a first-generation college student, when thinking about the concept of saving money for college and even going to college, the whole idea was really hard to imagine. I remember I always loved meeting with Brenda, and I was always a really strong student and she would encourage me to dream bigger than I had ever considered. Even though the idea of college was so intangible when I was younger, once I got into high school, I started really considering college as an option. A lot of that transition was due to the strong relationship with Brenda over the years.

My sophomore year, I was introduced to Frank Boothby and Quinn Collins of the IDA program, which provides matching funds to pay for post-secondary education. I was working at the time to pay monthly bills and help support my family. This program helped learn how to budget and save money, ultimately saving $3000, which was matched 3:1 to $12,000. 

The biggest thing for me, with all of the CD staff, was the fact that I had mentors looking out for me. Eventually during the scholarship and college application process, I transitioned working with Rene Cardiff and Rebecca Clark to working with Jann Taylor. I spent hours every week in the College and Career Center working with CD staff to develop my essays, clarify my vision and apply for numerous scholarships. I felt throughout my high school experience that I had a community of stakeholders who were always affirming and encouraging who gave me courage enough to apply for college and eventually pursue a professional career path was actually possible. 

I was however still worried my whole senior year wondering “How am I going to pay for college?” All this work paid off. I got an interview with the Ford Family Foundation and I ended up being awarded a Ford Scholarship and committed to Willamette University. This was critical. I had applied to several colleges such that I would have options in case I couldn’t afford some of them. College Dreams staff walked me through step-by-step of applying for and appealing financial aid options, weighing my options in paying for the schools I got into. Because of my College Dreams IDA, financial aid, and the scholarships I won, my entire college education at the school of my choice is covered. 

I still keep in touch with everyone at College Dreams. They are my cheerleaders. The last two years, I have gone back and done presentations to current College Dreams students at GPHS.  My College Dreams family is the first network of mentors that I ever had. Now, I am a Peer Career Advisor at Willamette University for first-generation college students and students of color. Since graduating in 2018, I have also interned at the Oregon State Legislature twice  and at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. I am now on track to be a full-blown professional. I never imagined any of this was possible. 

*This Alumni Spotlight was written before College Dreams became Project Youth+. Read more about our transformation.