Ashley Salazar's journey to earning her degree is one so many Falcons understand. She's the first in her family to graduate college, and she's doing it while working full-time in oil and gas supply chain. She's been balancing real life, real responsibilities, and a real dream.
"I'm studying business management with a concentration in operations management," Ashley said.
Her path to becoming a Falcon took some time. She first earned two associate degrees, one in teaching and another in business before transferring to finish her bachelor's at The University of Texas Permian Basin.
"I chose UTPB, one, because it was local and I was able to still be close to my family. Family is very important to me. And two, I see UTPB everywhere. The involvement that they have within the community, their contributions to the community, and how the community contributes to them as well gives you a lot about an understanding of who they are at UTPB as a university," Ashley said.
Once she stepped onto campus, Ashley realized this wasn't just a place to go to class, it was a community. She joined the First-Generation Organization, where she found people who understood exactly what she was navigating.
"The First-Generation Organization actually helped me a lot," Ashley said. "I took a leap of faith and messaged them on Instagram. I saw a post. They responded right away and welcomed me with open arms. That's what it's about, students supporting each other. We don't have someone who's gone before us to show us the way, but the first-gen group here did that for me."
Ashley didn't stop there. While working toward her business management degree, she decided to stack on an Entrepreneurship Certificate, which came in handy fast because she had just launched a business of her own.
"I am a co-owner of Stellar Marquees Midland," Ashley said. "We rent our marquee letters for events, weddings, conferences, you name it. Our marquees offer over 180 different effects, we've modernized the look of the marquee."
Through all of this, she says one thing made the biggest difference: her professors. Their support, their patience, and their willingness to meet students where they are.
"When you need advice or you don't understand something, they're there to help you," Ashley said. "They're approachable and they don't make you feel less than."
Financially, Falcon Free changed everything for her. It made school feel possible.
"It meant the world to me. Being a non-traditional student and having to work for everything I have, Falcon Free meant I didn't have to work so many hours to pay for school," Ashley said. "Those hours I didn't have to work, I could finally focus on being a full-time student."
Falcon Free covers tuition and mandatory fees for students whose families make $100,000 or less. Programs like this, along with scholarships and financial aid, are part of UTPB's commitment to keeping a college degree within reach.
Last year alone, 71% of UTPB students received financial aid or scholarships, totaling $49.1 million awarded.
"The ability to provide Falcon Free for our students, I think, has transformed the experience of so many students," Dr. Sandra Woodley, UTPB President, said. "You know, Ashley says that gave her great flexibility. She was able to work less hours and pay more attention to getting her degree, and so we know that was helpful to her in her journey and so many of our students find that to be true as well."
Now, Ashley is ready for the moment she's been working toward: walking the stage and stepping into the next chapter.
"The quality of education, actually, has been probably my favorite," Ashley said. "UTPB really, really makes their students feel comfortable."
"She will leave here with an amazing degree, and she will have earned every bit of that degree here," Dr. Woodley said. "We're so proud to have her here to represent so many of our students. As she walks across the stage, I know that she will be proud and all of us are proud of her accomplishments."
"I wish there was confetti I could pop or something because I'm so excited to graduate," Ashley said.
