LCC
alum on mission to reach the stars
Laredo Community College alum Gregoria Susana "Susan" Cabello was most recently in our nation’s capitol for a highly prestigious learning opportunity related to her undergraduate studies. It was a valuable part of her mission, which might one day lead her to touch the stars—literally.
Cabello, who last August completed an associate’s degree in geology at LCC with high honors, is continuing her undergraduate studies in geology with a minor in astrophysics this fall at Texas A&M University at Kingsville. Her professional career goal is to someday work for NASA and/or teach.
On the road to her educational preparation, Cabello has followed different pathways toward her goal of becoming an astrogeologist for NASA.
In the late 1970s, she began her higher education at the University of Texas-Pan American to pursue a career in criminal justice. After completing 41 hours of college credit, she left early to join the Texas Department of Corrections.
In 1989, Cabello resumed her studies in criminal justice as a part-time student at LCC. However, in 2000, she decided to concurrently pursue a second associate’s degree in Geology at LCC.
She went on to graduate from LCC magna cum laude in 2002, receiving an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice. Then, in August of 2003, she graduated magna cum laude again with an Associate in Science in Geology.
While a student at LCC, she received numerous accolades and was actively involved with various student organizations on campus. She explained one of the most valuable learning opportunities occurred when LCC selected her to attend the NASA Community College Scholars program.
Her experience at NASA reinforced Cabello’s determination to complete her studies at LCC and pursue a higher degree in Kingsville with a scholarship.
“I am attending Texas A&M University at Kingsville thanks to Laredo Community College and a NASA Hispanic Explorers Scholarship,” said Cabello.
The scholarship is for the fall and spring sessions at the university. Cabello was one of 522 scholarship recipients selected from a group of 2,500 student applicants from across the country.
Most recently, the Hispanic College Fund Association selected Cabello to attend the 10th annual HCF-NASA Scholarship Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. Of the 522 HCF scholarship recipients, Cabello was one of only ten selected for this prestigious honor.
Cabello, who frequently refers to LCC as the “Gateway to Engineering,” considers herself fortunate to have studied under the guidance of “professional and extremely qualified professors” at LCC.
“To me a professor is not technically a doctorate, but a professor is one
who professes his art. LCC has very enthusiastic professors,” said Cabello.
During her three-day trip to Washington D.C., Cabello received a tour of the nation’s capitol, visited the Lockheed Martin facility, explored the Goddard NASA Space Flight Center and attended the awards gala banquet.
“I cannot begin to tell you how excited it was to receive this honor and represent LCC and TAMUK with pride and integrity,” concluded Cabello.
For more information about science education at LCC, contact the LCC Science Department by calling 721-5195. Office hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
STAR-BOUND: Susan Cabello is pictured in this file photo while a Laredo Community College student participating in a science symposium at the college’s Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center.
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