Name: Manny Saldivar
Position Title: College Counselor
Current institution: Nolan Catholic High School, Fort Worth, TX
How long have you been in the profession: 1 year
Give us some background! Where are you from, where did you grow up, what drew you to your position as a counselor?
I'm originally from Los Angeles, California. I was raised most of my life in Fort Worth, TX. I'm working as a College Counselor working with juniors and seniors. I earned my Bachelor degree in Communication from the University of Texas at Arlington. I earned my Masters in Education Counseling with a focus in student affairs from Texas Christian University. I love to travel and meet people from all walks of life. I'm just fascinated and intrigued by people.
Can you share anything about your own college advising experience?
I was a first generation college student. My counselors played an important role in guiding me and mentoring me on the college application process.
What special or hidden talent that you have?
I like to sing and sometimes I'll go to karaoke and I will add a rap to whatever song I'm covering.
What did you think you wanted to be when you were 5 years old?
I wanted to be a doctor, specifically, a cardiologist.
What drew you to your current position?
My own undergraduate journey led me to want to help first generation college students. I wanted to help other students make the most out of their college experience.
What are you most excited about in your new position?
I'm looking forward to helping my students go through the steps of the application process. I enjoy learning with them the different colleges and universities that are out there.
What do you look forward to about being in TACAC?
I'm looking forward to meeting other people who feel as passionate as I do. It will be great to learn from others and implement best practices to be efficient at my job.