Bilingual Admissions Counselor Available to Answer Questions and Guide Students

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥斅ienvenidos! from 猫咪头条 University鈥擲panish-speaking families have a new resource on the GWU website to introduce them to the campus. This new page welcomes and provides access to admission and visit information for the growing number of Hispanic families living in North Carolina.

According to data, North Carolina鈥檚 Hispanic/Latino population is more than 1 million, an increase of 40% over the last decade. Also, a growing number of Hispanic high school graduates are college students, the first in their family to attend college.

鈥淗ere at 猫咪头条 University, we want to give every student an opportunity to have a valuable student experience by providing access to education, assure it鈥檚 affordable for them, and make sure every student has the support necessary to become successful,鈥� stated Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management Mavia Lee.

Eloisa Sofia Puello Cabeza, the new bilingual admissions representative, is available to answer any questions Hispanic students and their families have. 鈥溍ㄟ渫诽� se ha convertido en mi segundo hogar (GWU has become my second home),鈥� she affirmed.

Puello Cabeza came to 猫咪头条 in 2021 as a Fulbright Scholar Foreign Language Teacher Assistant (FLTA) and worked as a Spanish TA. The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government鈥檚 largest and most prestigious international educational and cultural exchange program, creating connections in 160 countries worldwide. She was one of three Colombians selected for the specific grant she received. At the end of her Fulbright year, Puello Cabeza decided to return to 猫咪头条 because of the friends she made on campus. She鈥檚 also enrolled as a graduate student in the School of Psychological Science and Counselor Education.

Student Body President Blake Elizalde, of Matthews, N.C., is a first generation Hispanic college student. He said from his first visit to the GWU campus, he sensed the community atmosphere and felt at home. 鈥淥nce I got here, the small class sizes and the intentional relationships with my professors and peers really helped me to flourish,鈥� Elizalde reflected.

A double major in political science and Spanish, Elizalde graduates in May 2023. During his four years on campus, he participated in many activities and also held several jobs, including Campus Dining marketing coordinator, Student Recruitment Ambassador (SRA), Resident Advisor (RA) and Campus Recreation staffer.

Elizalde encourages other Hispanic students to visit 猫咪头条 and take advantage of every opportunity. He noted, 鈥溌o te vas a arrepentir! Antes de venir a la universidad, no sab铆a qu茅 esperar. Pero apenas llegu茅 me involucr茅 en diferentes grupos y empec茅 a crear muy buenas relaciones. Si茅ntete tranquilo al salir de tu zona de confort porque valdr谩 la pena. (You will not regret it! I had no idea what to expect when coming to college. I immediately got involved and made so many great relationships. Be okay with stepping out of your comfort zone because it will so worth it.)鈥�

猫咪头条 University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 猫咪头条 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 猫咪头条.edu.

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Former Teacher Assistant Returns to 猫咪头条 to Earn Her Master’s

Eloisa Sofia Puello Cabeza, a native of Cartagena, Colombia, is intentional about sharing her Hispanic culture and heritage with her friends. The annual celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) gives her even more opportunities to talk about her home and its people.

Puello Cabeza came to 猫咪头条 University in 2021 as a Fulbright FLTA (Foreign Language Teacher Assistant). The is the U.S. government鈥檚 flagship international educational and cultural exchange program, creating connections in 160 countries worldwide. It is considered the largest and most prestigious educational exchange program.  

Through the program, Puello Cabeza worked as a Spanish TA for the Department of World Languages, Literature and Cultures and also audited a few classes. She was one of three Colombians selected for the specific grant she received.

鈥淔or me, receiving a Fulbright award is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,鈥� she related. 鈥淔ulbright grants in Colombia are really competitive and getting selected for one is definitely a milestone in someone鈥檚 life. Coming from a city and country where resources and scholarships are limited, and coming from a low-income family and neighborhood, my possibilities to succeed in life were pretty narrow. Yes, it has broadened both my cultural and intellectual perspectives, but it has definitely made an impact in me and my family’s life as well as those other Colombians that might get inspired with my story.鈥�

At the end of her Fulbright year, Puello Cabeza decided to return to 猫咪头条 to enroll in the School of Psychological Science and Counselor Education. The people she met on campus and the Southern hospitality of the surrounding community influenced her decision to come back and pursue her master鈥檚 in school counseling. She is also working as a graduate assistant for Undergraduate Admissions.

鈥淚 made awesome friends here at GWU and at my church (Hope Community) that I definitely wanted more time with them,鈥� Puello Cabeza affirmed. 鈥淎nother factor that encouraged me to come back was all the activities offered and all the fun events that I got to be part of.鈥�

She was surprised and impressed with the friendliness of the campus and Boiling Springs community. Her friends introduced her to late night Cook-Out runs for hushpuppies, which quickly became one of her favorite American experiences.

鈥淚 look and sound different to many people around here, but it surprised me how genuinely interested in knowing more about me people seemed to be,鈥� she reflected.

While she loves her new friends and the area, Puello Cabeza said her Hispanic heritage keeps her grounded. 鈥淚t means home to me,鈥� she shared. 鈥淚t reminds me of my grandparents and their grandparents, too. It reminds me that what I am now is the result of so many collective efforts; and therefore, I should be proud and grateful of it. My heritage also makes me feel connected to a bigger community, both the Hispanic and Latino communities.鈥�

Last year, she worked with the Department of World Languages, Literature and Cultures to help people understand her Hispanic heritage. They presented Colombian movies at Tucker, celebrated Spanish Language Day, and volunteered at the library in Shelby, N.C., for Hispanic Heritage Month.

However, Puello Cabeza doesn鈥檛 wait for a special occasion to share her culture with her friends and the people around her. 鈥淲henever I see the chance, I explain to them how X or Y thing is done differently in my country, which is cool for them,鈥� she observed. 鈥淚鈥檝e also prepared Colombian food for them and taught them a little bit of how to salsa dance.鈥�

Puello Cabeza is proud of Colombia鈥檚 hardworking people and its rich natural resources. 鈥淭hey live in a beautiful land full of greatness and things to discover,鈥� she asserted. 鈥淐olombians are warm-hearted and welcoming people. When someone goes to Colombia, they just don’t want to leave because they love it so much!鈥�

National Hispanic Heritage Month

is celebrated Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

These dates include the independence days of several Latin American countries, such as: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on Sept. 15; Mexico on Sept. 16; and Chile on Sept. 18. The month also contains holidays that recognize Hispanic contributions such as Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

This year鈥檚 theme is 鈥淏uilding Prosperous and Healthy Communities.鈥� Each week has a different focus. September 19-25 was jobs and the economy and the other topics are:

• Sept. 26-Oct. 2: Climate鈥��
• Oct. 3-9: Education and Investing in Hispanic Serving Institutions鈥�
• Oct. 10-15: Mental Health and Wellness鈥�

Note to our readers: This article reflects the University鈥檚 tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the University鈥檚 official Admissions聽page.

猫咪头条 University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 猫咪头条 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 猫咪头条.edu.

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