Going full circle

English major finds time in Aggieland rewarding but is ready to go home

Selina Pena first stepped on the Texas A&M University campus as a junior high student and fell in love with it for the same reasons that many are drawn to the College Station campus.

“I was taken away with the traditions and college life,” said Pena, who grew up in Laredo. “The best appeal was that it was far enough away from home to gain the independence I always wanted but not be entirely away from my family.”

While her family supported her desire to attend college, they were surprised she wanted to leave home. As a high school student her family had depended on her to help support the family when a back injury forced her father to quit his job. Yet, they also realized how important an opportunity it was for her to get to attend Texas A&M.

And finding that family atmosphere again helped make her college experience a memorable one.

“When I arrived, an older friend of mine from Laredo took me in and introduced me to his friends,” said Pena. “They literally took me under their wing and treated me like their kid sister. Finding this new family so quickly just made Texas A&M feel very special.”

But, now that Pena has accomplished her goal, she is ready to go back home.

“I will be the first person on either side of my family to graduate from college,” said Pena, who majored in English. She adds her entire family along with some teachers from her high school attended her commencement ceremony at Reed Arena.

For Pena, earning her degree from Texas A&M has been her primary focus, and her time as an undergraduate hasn’t been without its trials. Five relatives died during her undergraduate career.

“My mom didn’t want to call me with bad news, so a cousin would call. Whenever she did, I always knew something bad had happened,” Pena said.

During her junior year, her roommate didn’t return to school after the Christmas break, leaving Pena to scramble for the extra money to pay rent and utilities. It almost sunk her dream as her grades dropped dramatically.

“I should have flunked out, and I was kicked out of the College of Liberal Arts, but I also was given a second chance,” Pena said. “It took me three semesters to get back into liberal arts.”

Claude Gibson, professor of English and an undergraduate adviser, remembers Pena’s situation.

“I supported her because I knew this was a young lady who put everyone else before herself but was determined to make it,’ he said.

Pena’s career goal has her thinking about others once again as she pursues her teaching certification in English. Her ideal job would be teaching in Laredo, helping to prepare students for college.

“I started out at A&M as a business major, but I quickly realized it wasn’t a good fit,” Pena said. “I thought about the classes I had enjoyed in high school, like literature, and activities I enjoyed, such as helping to teach technical writing in a summer enrichment program. Then I realized that I could change my major to English and get my teaching certification.”

But, most of all, she looks forward to being back with her family.

“My little sister plays softball,” said Pena. “I played softball all through high school. Going to the softball field always made me happy, so I’m really looking forward to watching her play.”