By Student Affairs
Thursday, 07 15 2021

 With the odds against Tiffany Balderas, A&M-SA Transfer Student, she pushed past her adversity and created a beautiful student experience for herself and her peers.  

Balderas has had a difficult educational journey, to say the least. After her experience in high school, dealing with a low GPA, TSI, and SAT scores, she never had the desire to continue her education at a collegiate level. With some hesitation, she attended Northeast Lakeview and graduated with her associate's degree in Fall ‘19. While she believed her journey had come to an end, her family knew she had more left in her.   

After taking a year off school, Tiffany decided to make A&M-SA her new home in Fall ‘20. This time, she was determined to be involved in any and every club, making her experience a memorable one. She was quickly welcomed to the Jaguar Family by Juan Espinoza, Assistant Director of Transfer Student Engagement, where she applied and was then offered a job under Mr. Espinoza as a Transfer Student Coordinator.  

 Tiffany’s job on campus has been nothing but a push to her success. From having weary feelings towards her entire educational experience and even changing her major, risking her graduation date, Balderas has maintained a 3.9 GPA and has involved herself in various organizations.  

 Submerging herself within the Transfer Student Engagement family has shaped her as a whole. Tiffany has learned to work in a fast-paced environment, work with people of different backgrounds, and lead her fellow peers in the right direction. Juan Espinoza said, “She’s the prime example of a transfer student who didn't have the traditional journey or experience, fighting and advocating for herself and saying ‘no, I am going to grow, and I am going to find myself, and I am going to leave here that much better.’” 

 With just a year of working for the Transfer Student Engagement department, Tiffany was tasked with creating an event for transfers to feel special; the Transfer Ball. After several stressful weeks, the Transfer Ball finally arrived, and it could not have been more successful. To her surprise, Espinoza announced that the official name of this special event was to be called “Tiffany Ball.” Balderas was extremely flattered, “It’s cool to leave a legacy on an extremely growing campus.” 

 With just a year left until graduation, Tiffany still has goals to best serve the A&M-SA transfer community. Using her creativity and willingness to take big risks, Tiffany strives to be that person cheering for her peers and pushing them to do better. “She’s been a catalyst for the department. The department started in 2019, and it wasn't until Tiffany walked into the doors of this office that the department found its voice and its image… and it was through Tiffany that we were able to do that,” says Espinoza.  

 

Tiffany’s words of encouragement to our Transfer Student community: 

“Come to Patriots’ Casa 104C. We’ve built a beautiful community, and if you take the time to come over to Patriots’ Casa and experience 30 minutes of what the transfer center can offer, you would want to stay. The Transfer community can offer so much. If you want to get involved, follow our Instagram, get connected. Keep an eye out for the events- there’s always something for someone to attend.”