Portraits of Impact

Gabriel Alfaro, a sophomore business administration major at The University of Texas at Dallas, is the first in his family pursuing college in the United States. Determined to set a good example for his little brother, younger cousins and their friends in his neighborhood, he worked to achieve high grades and secure financial support at a university of his choosing.

“I was in a program in high school that helped first-generation students get into college,” Alfaro said. “One of the advisors suggested I apply to UT Dallas and any relevant financial aid programs. I got a postcard from the Terry Foundation after I applied to the University and decided to go for it.”

Terry Scholarships are funded by the Terry Foundation at 11 institutions in Texas. Recipients are awarded a full-ride scholarship for up to eight semesters alongside an aid package that helps with tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, textbooks and other educational expenses.

“Many people don’t get the opportunity to have an impactful education,” said Alfaro. “For example, my dad wanted to be an agricultural engineer, but living in rural Mexico, there was no money to do that. It would have been a shame if the younger generation in the United States had access to all these opportunities but because of a lack of funds, couldn’t do what they wanted to do. Thankfully, I have that opportunity to chase my dreams.”

At UTD, Terry Scholars are members of the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College. Alfaro likes to take full advantage of the college’s offerings by signing up for events like the Honors Night Out, which allow students to participate in of a variety of local cultural experiences. Last semester, Alfaro attended a performance of Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5” at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.

“I wouldn’t think to go watch something like that by myself,” Alfaro said. “Getting to experience these cultural events makes me feel like a well-rounded student.”

Being well-rounded is especially important for Alfaro, who is looking to work as a consultant or start his own business after graduation. Involved in student organizations, he serves as the academic director for the UTD Terry Scholars program, community engagement director for the Association of Latino Professional for America and a member of the Davidson Management Honors Program in the Naveen Jindal School of Management.

His experiences brought him to places he’d never been before. Funded by the Terry Foundation and the Davidson Management Honors Program, he had the opportunity to study abroad in Seville, Spain.

“I spent two weeks abroad learning medical terms in Spanish since I’m interested in working in the business side to medicine,” Alfaro said. “The program was incredible. One Tuesday after classes we walked around the city and came across this one historical plaza. We were sitting at this restaurant, drinking our beverages, chatting and taking in the perfect weather. No clouds, not too hot. And I remember just sitting there and absorbing it all. It was an experience I will never forget.”

Alfaro has plans to make the most out of the next two years of his undergraduate degree. He hopes to continue down a path of leadership in both the program and the UT Dallas chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America.

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