Success Story: Kain Garcia-Sandoval header image


Name:
Kain Garcia-Sandoval
Hometown:
Hermiston, OR
High School:
Hermiston Senior High School
College/University:
University of Oregon
Year in school:
Sophomore
Major:
Computer Science
Activities Involved in On Campus:
I volunteer in the “Ganas” Program through MECHA de UO volunteering at local middle schools, tutoring and serving the local Hispanic community.

What/who was the biggest influence on your decision to go to college?
My mom, because she placed an important value in education even though she herself did not have a college degree.  Growing up she made it clear that higher education was the expectation for her kids.

What is one of the best things about college?
It is a completely different experience from high school. The college itself is its own community. You wake up, go to class, meet up with people to study, go to class office hours when you need help, and eventually take a break from school by doing one of the many extracurricular activities on campus. Intramural sports are a lot of fun!

What was your most memorable GEAR UP moment?
Attending the Eastern Oregon Summer Institute, which is a three-week session where high school students take college classes at Eastern Oregon University and stay in the residence halls. It gave me a glimpse of what college was like.    

What are your future career plans?
I would like to go into education, teach at the high school level, and coach sports as well.

What advice do you have for students currently in middle and high school GEAR UP programs?
Get involved. Find a sport or extracurricular activity that you enjoy and be active in the organization, and volunteer in your community because at the end of high school all your experiences come together and define who you are.