Miguel Garcia

University of Houston-Downtown

Miguel Garcia is a non-traditional student at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD). Prior to starting at UHD, Miguel worked in the oil and gas field as a heat treater. While he did not want a career in oil and gas, the job enabled him to provide financial support for his family. Miguel has always valued helping others, so even while working long hours, he volunteered with local organizations, like the Brighter Bites program, and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Education Service Centers. Miguel’s work as a heat treater led to an interest in mental health services. Heat treaters travel across the United States, typically for weeks or months at a time. During these times, workers become home sick and exhibit signs of depression. Miguel saw firsthand the stigma concerning mental health awareness. This stigma dissuaded many of his colleagues from seeking mental health support services. Miguel is learning more about such issues through his degree in Psychology and by volunteering at community organizations that support mental health issues. Miguel plans to graduate from UHD, attend graduate school and counsel people, especially those from marginalized communities, as a therapist.

Antonio Tillis
Interim President
University of Houston-Downtown

Personal Statement

Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, I remember the impact of helping others. On several occasions, I accompanied my grandmother when she delivered food and clothes to needy people. It was from this experience that I developed an interest in serving others. Shortly thereafter, I organized my first independent volunteer activity—mowing lawns for elderly neighbors. Fast forward almost 30 years later, and I continue to value service to others. While working 55+ hours a week in oil and gas to support my family, I prioritized my commitment to help the community. In recent years I have volunteered at public schools, supported food drives, helped with neighborhood clean ups, assisted families with hurricane disaster relief, and handed out meals to homeless populations. Helping others, a value instilled in me by my grandmother, continues to impact my commitment to service. As a student at UHD, I am working with the Center for Diversity and Inclusion to learn about helping people to understand and focus on mental health. I want to encourage people, especially from marginalized communities, to seek out mental health support services. I am currently a volunteer at the Montrose Counseling Center and a Legacy Community Health Clinic.

Miguel Garcia
Psychology: Class of 22-May
written 2021

2021 Fellows Alphabetical by Institution

  • a
  • b
  • c
  • d
  • e
  • f
  • g
  • h
  • i
  • j
  • k
  • l
  • m
  • n
  • o
  • p
  • q
  • r
  • s
  • t
  • u
  • v
  • w
  • x
  • y
  • z
Salma Yajaira Gómez Pineda, Universidad de Monterrey Daniel Khoshkepazi, University of Baltimore Mansi Seth, University of California Berkeley Emma Davis, University of Central Arkansas Victoria Orindas Corcino, University of Central Florida Sai Reddy, University of Cincinnati Areyana Janae-Andrea Proctor, University of Colorado Boulder Irene Soteriou, University of Connecticut Ryan Greensfelder, University of Dayton Nicole Kennedy, University of Delaware Jenny Truong, University of Denver Miguel Garcia, University of Houston-Downtown Courtney Washington, University of Illinois at Chicago Celena Zacchai, University of Maine at Augusta Brandon Reed, University Of Maine at Farmington Callie Jordan, University of Mary Washington Ayotomiwa Fashola, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Faith Davis, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Gifty Kessie, University of Massachusetts Lowell Ian Malesiewski, University of Miami Isabella DeArmitt, University of Missouri-St. Louis Mia McKinney, University of Montana Allison Hrovat, University of Mount Union Vanessa Chavez Jurado, University of Nebraska at Omaha Lauren Martin, University of North Carolina Charlotte Justin Bray, University of North Georgia Jerrell Bates, University of Northern Iowa Caitlyn Cano, University of Notre Dame Anjali Mishra, University of Oregon Alisa Ghura, University of Pennsylvania Brianna Silva, University of Richmond Kapri Tulang-De Silva, University of San Diego Jada Curry, University of San Francisco Daniela Isaza, University of South Carolina Upstate Sophia Faacks, University of St. Thomas Hannah Beauchamp-Pope, University of Wisconsin Green Bay Beth Allen, University of Wisconsin-Madison Alisson Anguiano Salas, University of Wisconsin-Parkside Jessica Smith, University of Wisconsin-Superior
  • update-img-new

    Get updates on what's new in the Campus Compact Network