The Right Choice

When JJ Garza arrives at the University of Houston-Clear Lake this fall, he will be returning to a city that helped shape his future long before he ever considered college.

Growing up in Mercedes, Texas, Garza made frequent trips to Houston while his mother received treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center. During one of those visits, his parents took him to NASA's Johnson Space Center, an experience that would help shape his future aspirations.

The experience left a lasting impression.

"I was just amazed over there," Garza said. "I knew I wanted to do something with space."

Years later, that childhood fascination has evolved into a clear academic and career path. This fall, Garza will begin his studies at UHCL as a New Hawk Scholarship recipient, pursuing a Pre-Engineering Specialization in Aerospace Engineering.

For Garza, the journey from the Rio Grande Valley to Houston has been fueled by curiosity, determination, and a willingness to seek out opportunities wherever he could find them.

Mercedes is a small community in South Texas, but Garza never allowed geography to limit his ambitions. To pursue his interest in aerospace, he regularly traveled from Mercedes to Brownsville to participate in Project Vortex, a student-led rocketry organization where members design, build and launch rockets while exploring engineering and aerospace principles.

"You have to go find opportunities yourself," he said.

That mindset continued throughout his college search.

Garza considered multiple universities and received several scholarship offers. Ultimately, the New Hawk Scholarship played a significant role in helping him choose UHCL by removing many of the financial barriers that often accompany higher education.

"It's like a weight that's been lifted off their shoulder," Garza said of his parents. "They don't have to worry about paying for my tuition and my housing."

The scholarship, combined with additional awards he earned, allows him to focus on academics, leadership opportunities and preparing for a future career in aerospace.

"We could not be more proud of JJ," his parents said. "He has worked incredibly hard throughout high school, always looking for opportunities to learn and grow. What makes us most proud is not just his achievements, but the person he has become.

"He carefully considered his college options and chose the university that felt right for him. Receiving the New Hawk Scholarship has opened doors while also easing the financial burden on our family. As parents, there is no greater joy than watching your child pursue a dream he has worked so hard to achieve."

Garza first learned about UHCL while researching universities in Texas and discovered that only five offered a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering.

"I applied to all of them and was fortunate to be accepted by each one," Garza said. "However, UHCL stood out to me and quickly became the university that captured my interest the most."

As he visited campus and learned more about the university's growing aerospace and engineering opportunities, he found something that ultimately mattered even more than scholarship dollars.

"It felt like home," he said.

Friends and others encouraged him to consider larger universities, believing they might offer more opportunities. Garza saw things differently.

"If the big college is right for you, then go for it," he said. "But for me, this was the right choice."

His confidence only grew after attending an admissions and registration event, where he toured campus, met future classmates, and began preparing for the transition to college life. This fall, he will move into Hunter Hall and begin building connections within the university community.

Garza is already looking beyond the classroom. He hopes to become involved in student leadership opportunities, join UHCL's Space Hawks Rocketry student organization, continue pursuing his pilot's license, and eventually secure an internship with NASA.

The goals reflect interests he has been developing for years through his involvement in rocketry and his longstanding fascination with aerospace. At UHCL, he sees opportunities to continue building both the technical and leadership skills needed to pursue a career in the field.

Those goals align well with UHCL's strong connections to the region's aerospace industry and strategic partnerships that provide students access to internships, research opportunities, and professional experiences.

For Garza, every step brings him closer to the dream that first took shape during those childhood visits to Houston.

As he prepares to begin his college journey, he offers simple advice to other students navigating their own decisions.

"Choose the best fit that feels right to you," he said. "I don't know how to explain it, but when I first walked onto campus, it felt right for me."

This fall, the city that first inspired his fascination with space will become the place where he begins turning that dream into reality.