Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, Gabriel B. Ibarra ’23 is pursuing a major in visual arts: studio track and minor in elementary education.

“I want to be a teacher, but I wanted to see if I was good at art, and to no one’s surprise but my own, I am kind of good at it,” notes Ibarra about the major choice.

“I graduated from a C.S.C. high school in Chicago, and I knew that I wanted to stay with the congregation. I transferred from another C.S.C. college because I knew that Holy Cross College was going to be a good fit,” said Ibarra.

“I am currently the vice president of our first-generation student club, part of our Campus Ministry community, working specifically on our campus SPES retreats, and I am also part of our Student Government Association, collaborating with Student Activities to work during Welcome Weekends,” notes Ibarra. “These three positions are centered on serving our college community and I think it has given back to me a lot.”

“A moment that has impacted my life in such a way was having a student I was tutoring cry at the end of the semester, telling me I was her favorite teacher ever and that she would never forget me. When I left for the day, I ended up crying and calling my mom to ask how she was able to do this for 22 years,” recalls Ibarra.

“I am hoping to be a teacher after my master’s program and then either work towards a doctorate in art education or I am considering pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in studio art or painting. I do, at the end of the day, want to teach at the colligate level – maybe even at Holy Cross College,” said Ibarra.