Midland College alum receives national leadership awardApril 22, 2020

Cody Vasquez had no idea how to prepare for higher education.  Neither of his parents nor his three older sisters had gone to college.  However, in the spring of 2013, when he was in the 8th grade, his counselor at San Jacinto Junior High in Midland told him about Early College High School at Midland College (ECHS@MC).

“I knew that I really wanted the college experience,” explained Vasquez.  “When I discovered that I could take college classes at the same time that I was in high school with the possibility of earning an associate degree by the time I was 18, I thought ‘why not; I can do this.’”

Vasquez completed the rigorous ECHS@MC application process and was told that he had been accepted into the program.

“ECHS wasn’t easy,” said Vasquez.  “The high school courses are accelerated to give students the opportunity to take 60 hours of college credit in order to earn an associate degree by the time they graduate from high school.  I was determined to get those 60 hours of college credit.

“I had a lot of support from my high school teachers and counselors, and the Midland College professors were awesome.  They treated us just like other college students.  We were in the same classes as traditional college students.  I was in the Honors program and really enjoyed completing the extra projects that were required for Honors students.”

Vasquez was so motivated to complete an associate degree that he not only took college courses as part of the early college high school program, but also completed some of his college credits during the summers.  Because of this, he was able to graduate from high school and Midland College in December 2016—a semester earlier than his classmates.  In January 2017, Vasquez entered Angelo State University (ASU) as a college junior majoring in Business. 

“I chose ASU because it is close to home and financially affordable,” stated Vasquez.  “Thankfully, because I graduated from Midland College, I was able to take advantage of some special scholarships.  I received the Carr Transfer Scholarship from Angelo State as well as the Fasken and Carrasco Scholarships that are specifically for Midland College graduates who transfer to four-year universities.”

In December 2018, Vasquez graduated with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree in Business Management and then entered graduate school at ASU.  In May, he will receive a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) degree. 

 “I have really enjoyed my time at Angelo State,” said Vasquez.  “Just like at Midland College, there is a lot of opportunity to interact with professors, and ASU has provided endless opportunities for career exploration and preparation.  I also took part in a month-long study abroad program and was able to visit Spain, Portugal, France, Greece and the United Kingdom.”

During his time at ASU, Vasquez also participated in the Association of Mexican-American Students (AMAS) and Delta Sigma Pi, a national organization for Business majors. 

Through Delta Sigma Pi, Vasquez enhanced his leadership skills and served as VP – Pledge Education, Senior Vice President and Chapter President of the organization.  This past March at the organization’s annual conference in Dallas, Delta Sigma Pi named Vasquez as the 2020 National Collegian of the Year. This award is presented annually to the one outstanding collegiate member of Delta Sigma Pi who has exemplified the values and ideals of the organization. With this, he will now serve on the National Delta Sigma Pi board of directors for the next two years and received a $5,000 scholarship. He has also served AMAS as the Alumni/Recruitment chair, a college transition leader and a mentor to first-generation students. The university also awarded him the 2019 Promising Male Leader of the Year and is currently nominated again for 2020.

Vasquez works as a graduate assistant at ASU.  In this capacity, he serves as the Student Activities and Multicultural Center manager, where he helps guide diversity inclusion in student organizations and facilitates the college’s food pantry.

“When I obtain my master’s degree in May, I’ll have to resign my graduate assistant position,” explained Vasquez. “I’m hoping to get a full-time staff position at ASU or at another college or university.  My future goals are to perhaps teach business and leadership courses; however, I’m open to exploring other options in the business field.”

Vasquez was born and raised in Midland. He is the son of Lori Acuña and Ruben Vasquez.