Student Profiles: Marcelo Pena
Major: Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences
Are you the first in your family to attend college? If so, please share with us what motivated you to want to pursue a college degree.
I am the first in my immediate family to attend college. My main motivation for pursuing a college degree is my mother, who passed away when I was nine years of age. I know it would have made her happy to see me graduate. She took my education very seriously and I owe it to her to get my diploma. Another motivational factor is that as a first generation American, I believe it is my duty to represent my heritage, and become a genuine contributing member of society, so I can help my community as well as those who have given me support on my journey.
There was a time when I was afraid to fail, doubted myself, and considered not attending college, but I always believed that continuing education was very important for self-development. It took me a while to decide what I wanted to study. I wanted to study everything and couldn’t make up my mind, so I eventually ended up dropping out. After a period of self-reflection and a lot of thought, I decided it was time for me to go back to college and finish what I started, this time with more focus and determination. What I do now will help me advance towards my goals in life. I hope that by getting my degree, I will also inspire my niece and nephew.
Why did you pick UTEP?
I had the opportunity to attend many other colleges, but UTEP was number one on my list from the very beginning because I believe it is a great university. Not only does it have an outstanding reputation, but the architecture is beautiful. Henry C. Trost is one of my favorite architects. In my opinion, UTEP is one of the most beautiful college campuses that exists. Another reason for my selection is that I had been away for five years with the military and wanted to be home. I love the regional culture that El Paso and Juarez share. It’s also an honor to attend a university whose president is considered to be among the 100 most influential people in the world.
What sparked your interest in the Bachelors of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences Program?
There are two major contributing factors as to why I chose the Rehabilitation Sciences Program. The first is when I tore my ACL in 2010 and the experience I had with my rehabilitation team after surgery. They made a great impact on me. At that point, I was planning to make a career in the military, but the holistic approach I received made me have a change of heart, and I decided to finish my military duty and return to school so I could pursue a career in rehabilitation sciences. In addition to my injury, looking back at how my mother’s quality of life slowly decreased due to cancer really inspired me to continue on a path where I can help improve an individual’s quality of life. After assessing my strengths, which are empathy and altruism, I decided that a career in healthcare was right for me.
Tell us about a service-learning or research experience you’ve had at UTEP.
I love participating in events that contribute to our beautiful community and reflect our culture here. UTEP has been exceptional in providing these kinds of opportunities for me and my fellow students. Each event has been meaningful in its own way.
PHUN Week was an exciting event that was done in collaboration with Hornedo Middle School, and consisted of a week-long series of PHysiology UNderstanding activities. Alongside Dr. Gurovich, who heads the Physical Therapy Program at UTEP, and Hornedo Middle School students, the research team conducted electromyography and reaction time exercises using electrodes to record the difference in electrical impulses between boys and girls. From the acquired data, we developed two abstracts which were accepted by NCUR (National Conference for Undergraduate Research) and the 2018 Experimental Biology Meeting. We will be representing UTEP and the El Paso community at these conferences in April.
The El Paso Rotary Club is a great organization that is always finding ways to better the community. I volunteered with them for a group project to build a handicap ramp for an individual with disabilities. It was a great hands-on experience that taught us regulations concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The El Paso Senior Games is an event that is hosted by the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department each spring, with over 350 seniors participating. The Senior Games consists of multiple events such as basketball, volleyball, and bowling. It’s awesome to go out and have fun while socializing and getting to know other members of our community. The Senior Games will be going on until May 2018.
What are your career aspirations?
My goal is to get my bachelor’s degree and then pursue a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy here at UTEP. In the future, I would like to get a job at the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio, but I will be excited and grateful to go wherever opportunities are presented to me, as long as I know that I’m making an impact and helping others. I would also one day like to start a charity or foundation, with a focus on improving the quality of life for people with disabilities and under privileged kids.
What advice would you give to a student thinking about applying to the Bachelors of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences Program?
First of all, a positive sense of self-efficacy will be your strongest ally and best tool in college. As for the Bachelor’s in Rehabilitation Sciences Program, I would highly recommend it! There is a shortage of healthcare professionals, and we need more individuals who are passionate about improving the quality of life for people. The program is great for anyone who wants to pursue a career in the rehabilitation fields. The professors have all been phenomenal, and I have met a lot of amazing people who share similar ambitions with me. This environment makes it easier to stay focused on your long-term goals. It’s also a great program that encompasses the full spectrum of healthcare and teaches the importance of interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
If you are passionate about something, take initiative to do it so you can try it out, see if it’s for you, and not spend time wondering “What if?” We all come from different walks of life, so our college experiences are different. Some people start college at 18, some at 38, and others at 58. I dropped out of college when I was 21 because I kept changing my major. I wanted to study a little bit of everything. It took a nine-year hiatus for me to return to college. This time, I was more focused and determined to succeed. College isn't a race. It’s not about finishing first, it’s about finishing and feeling a sense of accomplishment. It’s never too late to start or return to college.