Honors Student Earns Prestigious Scholarship to Mount Holyoke College

Shaelyn Garcia, a standout honors student at San Antonio College (SAC), is preparing to embark on a life-changing journey this fall as she transfers to Mount Holyoke College, one of the prestigious Seven Sisters schools that were originally founded to provide women with an education equivalent to that offered by the Ivy League.

A recipient of the competitive Frances Perkins Scholarship – awarded to only 25 students nationwide each year – Shaelyn will attend Mount Holyoke with full tuition covered as she pursues a biology degree and ultimately, a future in medicine.

At 27, Shaelyn identifies as a non-traditional student. She began her academic career at SAC at age 25 after leaving behind a five-year career in graphic design, a field she entered straight out of high school. “When the pandemic hit, I realized I wanted to do more. I wanted to help people,” she said. That desire led her to SAC, where she quickly excelled – earning a 4.0 GPA, winning the Outstanding Honors Graduate award, and discovering her true calling in medicine.

Her academic success didn’t happen in a vacuum. Shaelyn credits the strong support systems at SAC for helping her reach this milestone. Through the college’s Advocacy Center, she accessed free therapy, which she says made a significant difference in her ability to push through her studies. “Having someone to help me build emotional tools and stay refreshed was huge,” she said.

In addition to mental health support, Shaelyn gained hands-on experience through a paid hospital internship funded by Alamo On The Job. The position not only provided financial stability but also opened doors for networking and shadowing opportunities, including a chance to meet a resident pathologist – an experience that reinforced her dream of specializing in pathology. “These are the kinds of experiences most people don’t even get in med school,” she said.

Her decision to attend Mount Holyoke was intentional and values-driven, as she was drawn primarily to institutions that prioritize equity and inclusion. “Mount Holyoke didn’t just have strong academics – it had values that aligned with mine,” she said. “It stands for something, and it works to serve those who have been historically underserved.”

Shaelyn discovered the Honors Academy at SAC through a campus flyer and encouragement from a professor. That moment led to a transformative academic experience that culminated in national recognition and a promising path forward. She plans to visit the Mount Holyoke campus this summer for the first time before moving in this August, where she’ll live among fellow Frances Perkins scholars – students like her, returning to college after time away.

As for what she’s most excited about? “Honestly, the library,” she laughed. “It’s almost 200 years old, and it’s just gorgeous. I can’t wait to sit there and study surrounded by that history.”

To students following in her footsteps, Shaelyn offers this advice: “Talk to everyone. Ask for help. SAC has so many resources, and even if they don’t have what you need, they’ll help you find it. Don’t be afraid to speak up – there’s a whole community ready to help you succeed.”

Shaelyn’s journey is far from over, but her time at San Antonio College has built a strong foundation for what’s to come. As she packs her bags for Massachusetts, she carries with her not just a stellar transcript and a prestigious scholarship—but the unwavering belief that she belongs wherever her ambition takes her.