Estrella’s Story

Estrella Sanchez, 22, is a recent graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University and is now pursuing a master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education at Texas State University. Her passion for helping college students thrive stems from her own experiences navigating an educational system that often left her feeling overlooked.

Growing up in Garland, Estrella faced unique challenges. Much of her educational journey was shaped by her struggles with undiagnosed dyslexia, which made reading and math especially difficult. She always knew her brain processed things differently, but without a diagnosis, she often felt misunderstood. Despite the stigma surrounding learning differences, she relied on mentorship, extra support, and her own determination to persevere.

As a first-generation, low-income student, Estrella’s grit carried her through, and she excelled in spaces that were not always designed with students like her in mind. Now, she’s using her own journey as motivation to support others. Through her graduate studies, Estrella hopes to create environments where students—especially those from underserved backgrounds—feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Her story is one of resilience, self-advocacy, and a commitment to making higher education more inclusive for all.

Another part of her story is shared in Mario’s post, where she reflects on the life lessons she learned from her late father, who inspires her daily.