Now officially 51ԹϺ alumni, the latest Rebel grads extend their lessons learned to the 51ԹϺ community for inspiration on the path through academia and beyond.
Ashley McCoy
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference in someone’s experience. For Ashley McCoy, the simple act of someone remembering her name led her to joining a sorority. All the pieces fell into place after that.
“My biggest piece of advice is get involved sooner. It’s a GPA booster. It gets you on campus, it boosts your morale. It makes you want to be here. Instead of just coming to class and leaving, I come to class and then go to the library and hang out with friends, grab lunch, work, go to the Rebel Events Board. Now my mom jokes that she never sees me, but it’s really boosted my GPA.”
If you're wondering about how to overcome the hesitation of joining a group or introducing yourself, Ashley's approach can help. “Everybody’s here for the same reason, to get an education, and you can make it as fun as you like!”
Victor Aldana
Master of Science in Cybersecurity
You never know how an opportunity will turn out, just ask Victor Aldana.
Wielder of many hats – a grad student, cybersecurity major, and mentor – he emphasizes the importance of attending events to foster professional connections.
“The most important thing you can do is network, network, network. There are a ton of people, a ton of groups who want to help. They want to provide advice, and they want to provide mentorship.”
Unexpected connections and opportunities led Victor to where he is today – working for Microsoft.
When it comes to networking, many people find themselves feeling timid or uncomfortable. So what is Victor’s best advice?
“I just find a person that I know and then I hang out with that person, and then they’ll introduce me, and then you expand your network one person at a time,” he says. It just takes getting past that first scary moment of introducing yourself to someone. “If you're brave for 10 seconds, you can do anything.”
Tashari Carballo
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
How does Tashari Carballo describe her 51ԹϺ experience in one word? “Grateful,” she says, “I’m grateful that I went here. Most of the people I’ve met helped me get to where I am now.”
Having moved to Las Vegas from Kansas, Tashari established a supportive network with 51ԹϺ students by getting involved with Rebel Vets.
As a single mom in a new city, Tashari says the support and enduring friendships she forged became a lifeline during the ups and downs of earning her Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology. It made her university experience not just about earning a degree, but about building lasting connections and a sense of belonging that she cherishes to this day.
“We studied together, we cried together, we did everything together — that’s the kind of lifelong friends that I wouldn’t have been able to get anywhere else.”
Kayla De Soto
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering; Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Engineering and Design
After earning five different engineering internships and work opportunities, Kayla De Soto is heading to Walt Disney Imagineering in California for a project engineering internship. This time she a double major degree (mechanical engineering and entertainment engineering and design) in tow.
Being the first in her family to attend and graduate from college, Kayla experienced feelings of facing things with little to no help that many first-generation college students may face. But, she says, “It's important to remember that everyone is trying their best and your family is rooting for you!”
Her proudest moment, outside of her many outstanding accomplishments, is the personal growth she’s made on her academic journey. “Small things you don't realize are important until you apply them in real time. Roll with the punches, treat people with kindness, and learn as much as you can!”
Luna Bailon
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Like many students, Luna Bailon faced a learning curve as she delved into engineering courses during the 2020 pandemic. She rose to the occasion, explaining, “It impacted my growth by making me more adaptable and always trying to find better ways/solutions for learning, studying, or being a student.”
Her list of accomplishments, including getting involved with 51ԹϺ's American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and organizing a student conference with 13 guest school participants, is a testament to her perseverance.
Her proudest moment? Deciding to get engineering rings with a group of friends as an oath to “be a good engineer and not take shortcuts and be thorough with your work — essentially protecting the public by doing your job.”
An insider tip from Luna? Find someone wearing a ring on their pinky finger; it’s likely the sign of a good engineer.
