By Michelle Gonzalez, Associate Dean and Director of Special Projects
As a first-generation Latina college student, I didn’t have a roadmap for what college was supposed to look like. I left my home in California to attend a small liberal arts college in Colorado with a suitcase full of dreams and a head full of questions. The best advice I ever received was this: “Study something that you’re passionate about, and the rest will fall into place.” Ever since the first semester of my sophomore year, when I heard those words, they have become my anchor and have shaped my academic and professional aspirations.
In college, I explored just about everything. I signed up for classes in math, physics, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy. I was curious, hungry to learn, and excited by the idea that my education could reflect who I was and what I loved. Eventually, I found myself majoring in Spanish—a decision that made people raise their eyebrows. “Isn’t that cheating? You already speak Spanish,” they’d joke. But here’s my response: people major in English all the time, and they already speak English. Majoring in Spanish wasn’t about learning how to say “hello” or “where’s the library?” It was about diving into literature, culture, history, and identity—my identity. I was learning about myself, and that passion made every assignment feel purposeful.
That same advice—study what you’re passionate about—is why I pursued a master’s degree in higher education. I knew I wanted to support students like me: students with big dreams and few blueprints. That path led me to a career in college admissions, where I now help students understand their college options and make informed decisions that align with their goals.
If you’re a prospective college student reading this, here’s what I want you to know: It’s okay if you don’t have it all figured out. College isn’t just about picking a major—it’s about learning who you are, what excites you, and how you want to make your mark on the world. Trust your passions. Follow your curiosity. And know that there are people, like me, cheering you on every step of the way. Because when you study something you love, the rest really does start to fall into place.
