Empowering dreams through scholarships and determination
For many adults, the dream of earning a college degree can feel out of reach, with financial hurdles standing in the way. That’s why the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) is committed to making higher education accessible through scholarships and grants. For some students, even one scholarship can make all the difference - but for Alexa Guerrero-Magallon, receiving three scholarships not only made her education possible but allowed her to graduate from UHCL debt-free.
Growing up, Guerrero-Magallon was no stranger to the rigors or education. As a dual credit graduate at San Jacinto College’s South Campus, she simultaneously earned her high school diploma and associate degree. She then enrolled at the University of San Antonio, but her academic journey did not pan out the way she hoped it would after that.
“I thought it was going to be easy peasy, but after the first semester, I realized it was going to be too expensive and leave me in a lot of debt,” she said. So she made the tough decision to move back home and continue her studies at San Jacinto College.
In 2013, life served her another surprise when she learned she was pregnant, forcing her to put her college education on hold. She resumed her studies in 2021 with her eyes set on an aviation career, a decision inspired by her mother, a UHCL Distinguished Alumni Award honoree and aviation professional.
“My mother worked at an aviation company for over 20 years, so I was exposed to it at an early age,” Guerrero-Magallon said. “When I was going through a hard divorce, I needed a better job, so I started working shift work as a fuel service advisor, learning the logistics of aviation fuel for aircrafts. Six years later, I am even further now in my aviation career, with a wonderful company called World Fuel Services as a FBO & Airport Solution Sales Account Manager.”
Her academic path eventually led to UHCL, where she found more than just a university – she discovered a community that cared deeply about her success. During New Student Orientation, she learned about the university’s robust scholarship opportunities. She applied for the ones for which she was eligible and was awarded three scholarships: the Distinguished Alumni Scholarship, the Mae Snowden Bruce Scholarship, and the Dr. Harold and Dorothy Elden Scholarship.
The scholarships, totaling $5,450, combined with FAFSA support, allowed her to earn her Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a Concentration in Human Resources without paying anything out of pocket or relying on loans. They also enabled her to enroll as a full-time student, a feat she said she would not have been able to achieve without them. Reflecting on these accomplishments, she encourages other students to explore the financial aid options that UHCL offers.
“Apply for FAFSA every year, and research the scholarships that are applicable to your major. Every dollar helps, so take advantage of it. Thanks to the scholarships I received and FAFSA, I was able to graduate debt-free.”
Today, Guerrero-Magallon continues to beam with gratitude not just for UHCL, but for the scholarship donors, whom she had the pleasure of meeting at a philanthropy dinner. She also credits Director of Special Events Lori Lopez for encouraging her throughout her journey.
“I feel like UHCL cared about me as an individual,” she said, “and Lori has been so good to me. She got to see a lot of my milestones. She was there for the Philanthropy Dinner and Ring Ceremony in 2023, and my graduation and the Alumni Gala in 2024.”
From a single parent of one to a college graduate and mother of two, Guerrero-Magallon serves as an example of how UHCL’s resources can help students manage life’s complexities. Each scholarship serves as testament of the university’s commitment to accessibility, and of the importance of donors.
Every year, new students find themselves facing the same hurdles that she once faced, uncertain if they will be able to achieve their career dreams. The UHCL alumna is proof that they can, as she offers one final assurance: “Remember your why. What’s the reason for the sacrifice? Don’t give up. Keep pushing, knowing that the sacrifice is temporary and the reward for investing in your future is well worth it.”
Guerrero-Magallon plans to pursue her Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Human Resources in 2025.
To learn more about UHCL’s scholarship opportunities, visit the Scholarships webpage.