FAR Impact Scholarship

I am Mariangela Cobian Gonzalez, and I am currently enrolled in the University of Texas at El Paso College of Nursing. I am fully aware of my commitment to aiding and supporting others in my community through my current abilities and future career as a nurse. I possess a strong desire to contribute to the healthcare and wellness of my fellow El Pasoans through diligence, empathy, and the delivery of high-quality patient care. For years, I've been committed to pursuing a career in the medical field, initially aspiring to become a physician. To improve my qualifications, I actively sought opportunities to immerse myself in clinical settings through volunteering. It was during this time, amidst a critical pandemic and a surge of needy migrants in the borderland region, that I witnessed the impact of free clinics. These clinics provided essential healthcare to low-income, uninsured residents and extended aid to migrants lacking access to basic services. My volunteer work at these clinics enabled me to assist various individuals, from an elderly man receiving vision screening to correct his nearsightedness to a diabetic patient who had mistaken their symptoms for COVID-19. It was one day that a migrant family, a woman, and her two young children, sought help at the clinic. Both children were suffering from intense fevers due to the harsh journey from Guatemala. While assisting with triage, the woman, realizing I spoke Spanish, approached me in distress. She tearfully explained her husband's detention and their desperate need for shelter and communication. Despite feeling overwhelmed, I listened empathetically and assured her of my assistance. Together, we contacted migrant resources in the area, prioritizing her input throughout the process. Through the collective kindness of others, this family not only secured proper healthcare but also accommodation at a nearby women's shelter. Experiences like these have deeply ingrained in me a sense of humility and compassion, which strengthens my dedication to serving those in need within my community. Through these experiences, I not only contributed to the betterment of many individuals but also gained insight into the dynamics of a healthcare team. Despite my initial aspiration to become a physician, my desire for direct patient interaction and active involvement in patient care led me to pursue nursing instead. The loss of my beloved grandmother, my Tita, a couple of months ago further solidified this ambition of mine by experiencing firsthand the care and love she received from the nurses who tended to her in her final days, and how their kindness allowed for a peaceful passing of her spirit. I wish to be that source of compassion for others throughout my lifetime, and especially in my career. My short-term goal is to become a registered nurse after graduating and passing the NCLEX exam. I am committed to staying within the borderland region, particularly El Paso, where my family was warmly welcomed upon immigrating from Mexico 15 years ago. Recognizing the urgent need for healthcare workers in this area, I aim to make a meaningful impact by improving the wellness and health of individuals in my community. As I gain experience, I aspire to volunteer at free clinics and healthcare fairs, and serve others within my community as I once did in my undergraduate years. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for the FAR Impact Scholarship due to my unwavering commitment to excellence, dedication to serving others, and strong motivation to pursue a career in nursing. This scholarship would provide me with the opportunity to advance my nursing education, achieve my career goals, and continue giving back to the community of El Paso.

Throughout my academic journey at Texas A&M University College Station, I have actively sought opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals within my community. My commitment to service is prevalent in various volunteer initiatives, such as contributing to the local food bank and dedicating time to assist children at church. Additionally, my involvement in student organizations like Aggie Southern Darlings and Student Council has been fundamental in creating a sense of community and encouraging my peers to engage actively. Volunteering at the food bank has provided me with a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by those in need within our community. The experience has not only allowed me to contribute to immediate concerns but has also inspired a deeper commitment to addressing underlying issues of food insecurity. Talking to the people at the food bank and getting a deeper understanding of the challenges that have endured was eye-opening. It pushed me to want to help in various ways such as setting up food drives in my school, addressing the concerns with food insecurities, and being mindful about food waste. Working with children at church has been a particularly rewarding experience, reinforcing my passion for making a positive impact on young lives. As part of organizations like Aggie Southern Darlings and Student Council, I've played a role in creating an inclusive and vibrant community for my peers. These experiences have strengthened my belief in the transformative power of community engagement and the importance of fostering a supportive environment for personal growth. Working with children is especially important because they are the future, and having an opportunity to help guide them is extremely rewarding. Looking ahead, my career goals align with a dedication to public service, specifically within the medical field with a focus on helping children. My aspiration is to become a healthcare professional, working directly with pediatric patients to provide them with compassionate and effective care. By pursuing a career in pediatrics, I aim to contribute to the well-being and development of children, making a lasting impact on their lives and the lives of their families. In the field of public service, particularly in healthcare, the ripple effect of positive interventions extends beyond the individual patient. It influences families, communities, and society at large. My commitment to pediatric medicine is driven by the belief that every child deserves access to quality healthcare and a chance to thrive. By combining my passion for service with a career in the medical field, I hope to contribute to building healthier and happier communities, one child at a time.

I have actively participated in my community through volunteering with diversity groups, assisting with planning events, and providing help for school based clubs in need. I have a dedication to help those around me to pursue their personal goals. By volunteering with diversity groups, I have not only promoted inclusivity but searched to create a space where everyone feels valued, acknowledged and heard. This has helped create a sense of belonging as well as a stronger community. With diversity work, I was also included in leadership roles needed to plan events. Planning events has showed me how to take on a leadership role when needed in order to create memorable experiences through bringing people together. Networking with students and providing them with assistance, resources, or new opportunities in order to make an impact on those that need it has built deep relationships within the community around me. Students will impact the next generation, so providing others with new experiences will allow them to learn and share this throughout their own personal careers. Creating small impacts like this allows for others to continue thriving outwards, inspiring newer people to share their experience and kindness to those around them. Showing one act of kindness and guidance has allowed me to impact the trajectory of others for the better. Supporting clubs in need has allowed these groups to reach their goals and follow through with their mission statements in order to impact their members. While fundraising, networking, and even providing guidance for how the club should take the next steps to create thriving groups. From organizing fundraisers, social gatherings, or workshops, I have done so much in the name to assist with creating a thriving community and hope to continue doing so by remaining engaged on campus as well as being civically engaged in my local home community I will continue to do so in order to create future generations looking to become empowered through education and kindness within their communities. Most importantly I have been opened and shared personal information of my past regarding the challenges I have had to overcome in order to be where I am at today. This has allowed me to help other women feel seen, heard, and not alone. Standing in solidarity together and feeling as if they are not alone in their own personal struggle provides a level of support that many may not be aware of. I also provide resources to others based on what their needs or interests are. Every person I meet I would love to make a lasting impact on them so that they may find their own version of success and happiness. My career aspiration is to help children and families become as healthy as possible in order to thrive in their community. I hope to become a policy maker that influences social work so that many children that need help receive it and will not fall through the cracks. I also am inspired to help social workers with additional resources in order to maintain their career as well as their passion to help children and families. One day I hope to make such an impact so that many families will be empowered through education and continue to have children that are able to thrive both mentally, emotionally, and socially.