Analisa Gabryella Sulaica is on a mission to empower her community through education. She will graduate December 2021 with a degree in Mexican American Studies, a concentration in anthropology, and a minor in art history and criticism. The Honors College student seeks to provide the same opportunities and support she received at UTSA for marginalized students, ensuring all students have the resources and pathways they need to succeed.

Coming from the small town of Del Rio, Texas, Sulaica wanted to maintain a connection with her community and culture during her undergraduate studies. She chose UTSA in 2018 due to its deep connection with the San Antonio community. As a Top Scholar, Sulaica received opportunities to become further involved in the UTSA community and support for her professional development.

“I believe that it is important to give back to the communities that shape us into who we are, and Top Scholar gave me the means to do just that,” says Sulaica. “I wanted to make sure that I could be more than just a student when I attended college, and being in the Top Scholar program offered the support I needed to excel in and outside of the classroom in this way.”

For students looking to apply to the Top Scholar program, Sulaica advises that while grades are important, it’s also important to stay true to yourself. She encourages future Top Scholars to use their interests as motivation.

“Trying new things and learning is how we grow, so don’t limit yourself to what you think you should be doing,” says Sulaica. “Do what feels right; that’s how you will find opportunities that are right for you and amplify the unique aspects of yourself.”

Through her extensive service in the San Antonio, Del Rio and UTSA communities, as well as from the support she received from the Honors College and Top Scholar program, Sulaica has decided on her future career plans.

“At this time, education is the best way I can serve my community,” says Sulaica. “I want to give back in any way I can, and hopefully my experiences can be of some help to others as they try to find the path that is right for them.”

 

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