As a first-generation college student with a disability, Fabian Gomez knows what it feels like to be underestimated and what it means to rise above those expectations. After completing the ҹɫÊÓƵ’s Path to Independence (P2I) program, he is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education with the goal of becoming a special education teacher. His journey has been defined by hard work, resilience and a commitment to inspiring others to believe in themselves.
“P2I helped me grow as a person and become more open and confident in school and life,” Gomez said. “Nobody before P2I had ever pushed me to get a bachelor’s degree, so I never realized I could before the P2I staff helped me realize it was possible.”
The Path to Independence program, housed in the College of Education & Human Development, provides students with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience inclusive college life, build academic and social skills and prepare for meaningful employment. For Gomez, the experience was transformational.
“My favorite part was interacting with other students in the program and having the staff help me succeed. They taught me how to manage my schoolwork, held me accountable and set high standards that helped me gain confidence in myself.”
Balancing school with independence and responsibility has been a defining part of his college experience. He works around 30 hours a week as a recreation lead for the City of Reno, a job he has held since starting P2I, while also living on his own and paying rent.
“I enjoy learning new things in my classes that I can implement into my job working with kids,” he said. Gomez’s passion for working with youth, particularly those with disabilities, inspired him to choose education as his major.
“When I was growing up, being Hispanic and from a low-income family, I didn’t have the support and services I needed,” Gomez reflects. “I felt like my case managers and teachers didn’t think I was capable of getting to this point in life, and so I believed that too. I want to inspire people with disabilities to pursue their dreams and get a good job so they can be successful in life.”
After graduation, he hopes to become a special education teacher and create a classroom where students feel supported, capable and empowered to reach their goals.
“I want to help people like me and make sure they have the confidence they need to be successful,” Gomez explains.
Being part of the Wolf Pack community has been a source of motivation and pride.
“I love being part of the Wolf Pack and having a community of supportive and kind people,” Gomez said. His advice for other P2I students is simple but powerful.
“Just believe in yourself. People might think we can’t do things because of our disabilities, but we add value to this world. With hard work, we can have good careers and good lives.”
Gomez’s story is a testament to the power of unwavering determination, which embodies the core values of The Wolf Pack Way.
