Get to know Gabby Rodriguez-Acosta
The first time Gabby Rodriguez-Acosta left New Mexico, it was April, and reports of ICE agents at airports across the U.S. terrified her immigrant parents as they drove their daughter to Albuquerque. But this was Gabby’s journey, and she was going it alone, so when she boarded the flight bound for Southern California, she was understandably anxious. But she was also hopeful.
When Gabby landed, she met three other high school seniors, all carrying the same wild mix of nerves, excitement and uncertainty. They quickly realized, far from being alone, they had all flown on the same flight! Next step: find the two Pitzer College students who were to serve as their personal guides for a weekend immersion into campus life.
On the drive to Pitzer College, Gabby realized “the car was full of people with the same backgrounds as me,” she said. “All first-gen and all from low-income families.”
Imagine this drive, Gabby, surrounded by new friends, palm trees, huge boulevards, mountains in the distance. “We listened to music and listened to each other,” Gabby told me. They had not yet reached campus when a new vision for the future clicked into place: “Someday it will be me picking up high school students at the airport to show them their future at Pitzer.”
As a supporter of Bridges, you helped Gabby get to Pitzer. In fact, your generosity extends to a broad network of counselors, mentors, alumni and college students all working to help young people realize futures that once felt impossibly far away.
Gabby Rodriguez-Acosta
Taos High Class of ‘26, and soon on her way to Pitzer College!
So share, too, in Gabby and her family’s joy when they learned her invitation to join the Pitzer class of 2030, where Gabby plans to study cognitive science, would come with full financial support.
The truth is you can’t swing a graduation cap in this community without hitting a student with a remarkable story. For our part we’ve met with 56% more students than just two years ago. And I’m thrilled to report students in this year’s cohort are headed to Harvard, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College, Colorado College, University of New Mexico, The Institute of American Indian Arts and Central New Mexico Community College, to name a few!
Doing more than ever means we need more support than ever.
Your support keeps comprehensive college and vocational counseling, including assistance with applications, financial aid and scholarship searches, free and accessible to every student.
Thanks for going all in with us this season. Your partnership with Bridges is critical to meeting the growing demand for our services and ensuring they remain free for students and families across Northern New Mexico.
P.S. Your tax-deductible gift lights a path to college and vocational schools!
Thank you for your support in our mission, and thank you for considering a donation.