JANUARY 31, 2020 — When Wayne Gonzales ’11 rang the closing bell with his company at the NASDAQ Marketsite on Wall Street in New York City, he knew it was a moment that confirmed the long days, hard work and sacrifices he had made since his time being raised in a single parent home. He reflects that this will one day be a story he shares with grandchildren every time they come to visit.
Gonzales had risen from a first-generation college student with many challenges to join USIO, a top financial firm where as a vice president he uses his UTSA criminal justice degree to sniff out fraud in the financial industry.
This Roadrunner wants to not only inspire his future grandchildren but also the underserved Hispanic students in San Antonio.
We sat down with him to ask a few questions.
Can you describe your family’s economic situation when you were a child?
Growing up was tough! I am an only child and grew up in a single-parent home. My mom worked three jobs for as long as I can remember, and there were plenty of times where that wasn’t enough. I remember times where I had to pretend I wasn’t hungry, just so that my mom could eat and not sacrifice her food for me. It was truly heartbreaking, but it taught me about true, unconditional love and sacrifice.
—WAYNE GONZALES ’11,
What gave you hope that you could one day have a college degree?
When I was a teenager I realized that it was up to me on how my family’s legacy continues. Being an only child, the continuation of the family bloodline is my sole responsibility. I knew that the only way I could change the trajectory of my family’s future was to better myself.
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Can you tell us the most important books you’ve read since leaving college and becoming a professional?
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As a college student, what challenges did you face as a first-generation student?
There were many challenges along the way. Wondering if you were as good, as smart or as worthy of some of the more privileged students. My greatest challenge was not letting my mom down. I had made it this far and it gave my mom hope. I think every first-generation student can feel the weight of that challenge.
What advice to you have for underserved Hispanic students who are just beginning their journey to get an education?
First and foremost, know you belong here. Some people are going to try and get in your head to convince you that you do not belong in their space. You do.
Secondly, choose a major you love. When you are passionate about something, the energy and drive you display will separate you from the pack and help you to land that dream job.
Remember, hard work trumps everything. Your discipline, work ethic and sacrifice will be worth it in the end. At UTSA, I learned that no one is going to just hand me what I want. I have had to work hard for it.
What else did you learn at UTSA?
Some of my most valuable UTSA experiences weren’t academic. They were all about people—relationships, social skills, respect, pride, compassion and realizing my full potential. Most importantly, UTSA taught me leadership, how to learn from failure, and the importance of giving back.
Four years ago you said, “I may have been the first person in my family to go to college, but when the time comes for me to have my own family, they’re going to be Roadrunners. It is that simple.” Do you still feel that way?
Absolutely. Birds up!
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Celebrate the accomplishments of the graduates of the College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and College of Sciences.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St, San Antonio, TX 78203Celebrate the accomplishments of the graduates of the Carlos Alvarez College of Business, College of Education and Human Development, Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St, San Antonio, TX 78203Don’t know where to start in looking for a job or internship? Virtually join in a live job/internship search navigation lab-style workshop. Follow along to bookmark and save opportunities you are interested in applying for.
Student Union (SU 2.02.04,) Main CampusDon’t know where to start in looking for a job or internship? 🔍 Primary platforms utilized during this workshop are Handshake and LinkedIn. Some industry-specific job search boards may be utilized.
Student Union (SU 2.02.04,) Main CampusFirst Friday Stargazing gives anyone free access to the night sky using university telescopes and teaching equipment. Weather permitting, experienced astronomers will provide a handful of telescopes of varying designs, give training on how each operates, and point to various astronomical objects that may appear in the sky for that given time of the year. If you have a telescope and do not know how to operate it, feel free to bring it and get instructions on its use.
4th Floor of Flawn Science Building, Main CampusThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
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We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
