The Answer - A blog about Education, Preparation, and Commitment.

Alumni Spotlight: Elyse Espadas, YES Prep Southeast Class of 2003

August 16, 2011 by Tenesha Villanueva

Elyse Espadas graduated from YES Prep Southeast in 2003.  She attended Drexel University where she majored in Civil Engineering/Architectural Engineering and graduated in 2008.  Elyse currently works for the City of Houston as a Graduate Engineer.

Elyse on her experience at YES Prep…

What is your favorite YES Prep memory?

No one memory sticks outs more than the rest, I had many great memories at YES Prep. However, I would not have experienced so much of the culture that Houston has to offer or other major cities in this country without YES Prep. I was able to experience many cultures through the volunteer work, field trips around the city, and spring trips I was privileged to be a part of. It was so eye-opening to learn of the country’s diversity during the spring trips. They are one of the reasons I choose to go to school out of state.  

Name the teacher/staff member who had the greatest impact on you and why.

Mr. Keith Desroisers and Mrs. Jennifer Pagani Hines both impacted my life in two different ways. Mr. D was a great math teacher who understood that although I was not the strongest math student, I enjoyed math and wanted to do better. When I was a sophomore he told me about the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) scholarship, and from that day forward I knew that achieving the scholarship would be my ultimate goal.  Mrs. Pagani (Hines) was not only my AP English teacher, but also my softball coach. She pushed me outside my comfort zone mentally and physically. I did not like English class in school, but she influenced me to challenge myself and take the AP route my junior year. Although at times I felt over my head, Mrs. Pagani (Hines) would be there to break it down and show me it was not impossible and to believe in myself.  Through the academic and life lessons I learned from Mr. D and Mrs. Pagani (Hines) I have become a well-rounded Engineer. I have the math, English and athletic skills as well as the perseverance to become as successful as I want to be in life.

How do you feel YES Prep best ensured you were college-ready? 

The motto “Whatever it Takes” is really instilled in all the students the first day you begin classes.  For example, teacher’s contact information is given to you on the first day of school; therefore no excuse can ever be made for not understanding or not getting you work done.  The demanding class schedules and workloads pushed my boundaries and helped me realize I could do anything I set my mind to.

Knowing what you know now, what one piece of advice would you give to current YES Prep students?

Although, I was not always grateful for the arduous education I was getting while at YES Prep, I know now how lucky I was. My advice to students is sometimes when you feel like it’s too hard or you want to give up remember your teachers and counselors are there for you and believe it or not they understand the stresses of school.  Also, don’t forget to take a minute to enjoy your adolescence every once in a while, you will miss it soon enough.

Elyse on her college experience…

What was your most difficult experience/time in college?  How did you overcome it?

 During my second year at Drexel, the engineering curriculum became extremely challenging and I found myself at a crossroad. The work load was so difficult that I strongly considered changing majors but becoming an engineer had been my goal since I was a freshman at YES Prep, so I knew I had to find a way to stick with it. I spoke with my academic advisor and scheduled fewer engineering courses and more electives to balance the stress, and took summer courses to stay on schedule with my degree plan.

What two or three qualities or characteristics within yourself were most important in helping you attain your college degree?

Perseverance and loyalty are two qualities that helped me attain my college degree. Perseverance is important on the days when giving up feels like the only option. Whether it is when I was struggling in a particular class or worried about how I was going to pay for my books the next semester; I had to persevere.

Loyalty is something I found to be an important quality that still helps me today. Loyalty to your friends, who become your family while in school, is important. They help you study and motivate you to do better; they get you through the rough times and are there for the good times. Most importantly being loyal to myself and remembering my goals and what I was working for helped when obstacles came my way.

How did you become involved on your college campus?

Being involved in college was an extremely rewarding part of my overall experience. I was a part of The Society of Hispanic and Professional Engineers (SHPE), and the Society of Women in Engineering (SWE).  I had the privilege of working with the CCE office (Center for Civic Engagement), which promoted student volunteerism in the city and helped current and potential students receive scholarships at the university.  They also coordinated programs for opportunities in undergraduate research. Every summer with the CCE office, I helped organize a summer program for local high school students to attend Drexel for a two-week math camp.   My last two years I worked in the math department tutoring lounge helping freshman make their way through their first year.

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment since graduation from YES Prep and/or college?  Why? 

My greatest accomplishment since graduating from YES Prep is being able to say that I have accomplished all the goals both, professionally and personally, I have set for myself. I learned to do "whatever it takes" in order to continue to be able to set new goals and live a good life.  For example, I received the NACME scholarship to attend Drexel. I finished my degree in the five year plan I made with my academic advisor my freshman year in college. I found a job that encompasses my background in engineering and in real time helps deal with all the wastewater problems we have in the Houston to protect our citizens' health and keeps our sanitary system updated and maintained.  

Describe your life now.  Where do you work?  What are your hobbies outside of work (if any)?  Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Although working as a Graduate Engineer for the City of Houston or tutoring after work during the school year takes a lot of my time, I do play in a recreational softball and bowling leagues.  Last year, I passed the Fundamentals Engineering exam and became an “Engineer in Training” in hopes of qualifying for the Professional Engineering Exam when I become eligible in the next few years and to receive my Professional Engineering License from the state of Texas.

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