Credit: University of San Diego News Center and Russell Yost
Amid smiles, cheers and a few tears, five University of San Diego (USD) graduates celebrated their accomplishments with family, friends, teachers and supporters during a special event in the Ministry Center. For these five women — Miriam Castañon, Alondra Gonzalez, Ashley Gonzalez, Brigitte Jimenez and Kimberly Solis — this momentous occasion recognized not only their hard work during four years at USD, but also the commitment they made to their educational journey more than a decade ago.
They are part of the inaugural cohort of USD graduates who attended Nativity Prep, a Catholic middle school and college preparatory program in San Diego with a goal of supporting first generation students from low-income families. As sixth graders, Nativity Prep students — who may be behind grade level academically — commit to additional instruction through longer school days and summer coursework to prepare for high school and future success in college. In return, Nativity Prep supports students financially and through teaching and mentorship during the course of the 11 years between middle school and college graduation.
“These five people fearlessly approached education as a promise for the future,” says Gail F. Baker, PhD, USD’s senior vice president and provost, in her remarks to the graduates. “It’s just a starting point for the many achievements in your life.”
And thanks to the Torero Promise, these students qualified for guaranteed admission to USD by attending Catholic high schools in the Diocese of San Diego along with additional financial support. Most will leave with little to no college debt.
During the event each student shared reflections on their experience and gave thanks to family members and friends who supported them along the way, including the support they received from their peers.
“Watching each other going through middle school, high school and college, I’m so proud of everything they’ve done,” says Kimberly Solis about her fellow graduates. “It is truly inspirational.”
As the first USD graduates to have participated in Nativity Prep’s program, they are also role models for the future. Currently 20 students at USD are part of both the Nativity Prep program and the Torero Promise, with five new students from Nativity Prep expected next year.
Jessica Hooper ’03 (BA), president of Nativity Prep and one of three USD alumni on the school’s leadership team, reiterated the legacy the cohort established.
“One person can have ripple effects that you can’t imagine,” Hooper says. “You are the Changemakers to the sixth graders starting at Nativity Prep, and they know [earning a degree] is there for them.”
When asked about what advice she would give to sixth graders watching her complete her degree, Solis simply says, “do what makes you happy.”
And for Solis, who is completing an international studies major and interned for the California Innocence Project, her educational journey continues — she’s already started a graduate program in the Joan B. Kroc School for Peace Studies.
“This is the core of our mission to educate students,” says Michel Lovette-Colyer, PhD, USD’s vice president for Mission Integration. “We see students transform and prepare them to go out and transform the world.”
