Expanding her comfort zone: Abigale Chávez's path to graduation
At the University of Houston-Clear Lake, leadership is not defined by titles alone. It is shaped by action, service, and a willingness to grow. That spirit is exemplified by Abigale Chávez, a senior biological sciences major.
Chávez is scheduled to graduate Saturday, May 9, at the 3 p.m. UHCL Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony at NRG Arena, where she has been selected to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation.
In April, Chávez received the Talon Achievement Award at UHCL’s annual Hawk Excellence Awards, the university’s most prestigious recognition for student leadership. The honor celebrates sustained excellence, visionary leadership, and meaningful contributions to campus life. For Chávez, it represents achievement and a journey of transformation rooted in initiative, resilience, and community.
A journey that started with one step
Chávez’s path at UHCL began with a decision to step outside her comfort zone.
“My journey at UHCL really began with the Hawk Leadership Institute (HLI),” she said. “Coming into college, I hadn’t been very involved in extracurriculars, so joining HLI was my first intentional step toward growth.”
What began as curiosity quickly became the foundation for her college experience. Through HLI, Chávez discovered that leadership was not just about holding positions, but about how she showed up for others and for herself.
That mindset propelled her into a series of impactful roles across campus. She served as president of Hawks 4 Community, a department-sponsored service organization, and later became a peer mentor and the first peer educator for HLI, guiding students and contributing to the program’s development.
Her leadership extended into university-wide initiatives. Chávez served as student chair of the Student Center Referendum and as the sole student representative on the search committee for the vice president of academic affairs and provost, an opportunity that placed her alongside senior university leaders and highlighted UHCL's trust in student voices.
Each experience, she said, was intertwined with her personal growth. As a first-generation Latina in STEM, Chávez learned to take initiative while still discovering who she was beyond academics.
Leading with purpose under pressure
Among her many accomplishments, Chávez points to her work on the Student Center Referendum as one of her proudest moments.
“We had a very short window, about seven to nine days, to collect over 800 student votes in favor of a proposed fee increase,” she said. “On our final day of tabling, we gained over 400 votes in just a few hours, bringing a little over 900 total responses.”
The experience tested her ability to lead under pressure, communicate effectively, and connect with students across campus. More importantly, it revealed her capacity to drive meaningful change.
“Beyond the numbers, it was also a moment of realization,” Chávez said. “I saw how much I enjoyed engaging with others and working toward something that could improve the student experience.”
At the same time, the experience reinforced the importance of balance, an essential lesson as she managed a demanding schedule of coursework, leadership roles, and work responsibilities.
The power of mentorship
Chávez’s journey reflects her own determination and the strength of the support system around her. She credits a network of mentors, faculty, and professionals who helped shape her path.
From her first mentor in HLI, Dillon Nash, who encouraged her to step into leadership, to Director of the Center for Student Engagement Jordan Jones, who collaborated with her on program development, each relationship expanded her perspective on what leadership could look like.
In the classroom and lab, mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping her academic direction. Through Dr. Scott Buckel, assistant professor of biological sciences, Chávez discovered a passion for biochemistry research that ultimately shifted her career goals. Senior Biology Lecturer Trish Trubl introduced her to the possibilities of graduate school, while College of Science and Engineering Dean Jennifer Irvin supported her professional development and exploration as a first-generation scientist.
“These interactions have given me ample opportunity to learn about her time at UHCL and assess her interpersonal skills and dedication,” Irvin wrote in her letter nominating Chávez for the Talon Achievement Award. She noted Chávez’s “visionary leadership, dedication, and meaningful contributions that have shaped campus life.”
Beyond campus, Chávez said connections like Nellie Chappell-White, president and CEO of JES Tech, further broadened her opportunities, including support for study abroad and exposure to professional environments.
Together, these mentors exemplify UHCL’s commitment to fostering student success through guidance, opportunity, and belief in student potential.
Redefining success through balance and growth
While Chávez’s accomplishments are extensive, her journey has not been without challenges. Balancing leadership, academics, work, and personal responsibilities required discipline and reflection.
“I tend to be an overachiever, and for a long time, I said yes to almost every opportunity because I didn’t want to miss out,” she said.
Through those experiences, she learned that leadership is not only about doing more, but about being intentional. “Over time, I learned that growth isn’t just about saying yes, it’s also about knowing when to say ‘not right now,'" Abigale added.
That shift allowed her to focus her energy on opportunities aligned with her goals, strengthening her impact and well-being.
A lasting impact on campus
Chávez’s influence at UHCL is perhaps most evident in the relationships she has built.
“I believe my impact is most meaningful in the relationships I’ve built with other students, particularly through HLI,” she said. “Knowing I played even a small role in that growth is incredibly meaningful.”
Her work has helped shape the student experience through programs and initiatives, mentorship, encouragement, and connection — core elements of UHCL’s student-centered culture. Her contributions also extend into academic spaces. As an assistant teaching assistant and research student, she has supported peers in lab settings and helped connect students with research opportunities, reinforcing the university’s emphasis on hands-on learning and career readiness.
Looking ahead
After graduation, Chávez plans to pursue a thesis-based master’s degree in a biochemistry-related field, with the long-term goal of earning a PhD. Her interests lie in women’s health and reproductive science, where she hopes to contribute to expanding research in underexplored areas.
“My goals are both certain and evolving,” she said. “I know the direction I’m passionate about, but I’m also open to how my experiences will continue to shape and refine that path as I grow as a scientist.”
A message for future leaders
As she reflects on her time at UHCL, Chávez encourages other students to take that first step toward involvement.
“You don’t have to have everything figured out to get involved,” she said. “What matters is taking initiative and staying open to growth.”
She emphasizes the importance of building a support system, setting boundaries, and giving oneself grace throughout the process.
“Every experience is new in its own way, and growth comes from allowing yourself the space to learn, reflect, and keep moving forward,” Chávez said.
Celebrating leadership and inspiring the future
Receiving the Talon Achievement Award is a milestone that Chávez views as both recognition and reflection.
“Receiving the award is incredibly meaningful,” she said. “It allowed me to reflect on everything I had contributed and accomplished during my time at UHCL, and for the first time, really celebrate that.”
As she prepares to graduate and lead the pledge and invocation at the Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony, her journey stands as a powerful example of what is possible at UHCL.
Through leadership, mentorship, and a commitment to growth, Chávez embodies the university’s mission to cultivate engaged, innovative leaders ready to make a difference beyond campus. Her story is not just one of achievement, but a testament to the impact of student leadership and the transformative experience UHCL provides.
College is more than a classroom. Find your community, build your leadership, and create lasting memories at www.uhcl.edu/student-affairs/student-engagement/student-involvement/.
