Angie Covarrubias Aguilar
Champion of Education and Moving Students Upward
Episode 171
Angie Covarrubias Aguilar is a lifelong San Gabriel Valley resident. She graduated from Baldwin Park High School, went to Georgetown University in Washington, DC, studied abroad in Salamanca Spain, and returned to Southern California, shortly after graduation.
For the last 18 years, Angie has served as the Director of the Harvey Mudd College Upward Bound Program that serves 145 high school students each year from the San Gabriel Valley, helping them gain admission to some of the top colleges and universities across the country. Angie and her family initiated a service project called The Cozy Collection which has helped gather over 25,000 pairs of socks and blankets for the homeless in the SGV and Inland Empire. Her hobbies include reading, kickboxing, knitting, and cooking. She is a parent to two wonderful kids, Maya (14) and Joaquin (11) and has been happily married for almost 17 years.
Instagram: @big_brown_mom
Website: hmc.edu/upward-bound
Angie Covarrubias Aguilar Takeaways
Impact of Upward Bound Program
Angie Covarrubias-Aguilar credits the Upward Bound program with changing her life. She first encountered the program as a student at Baldwin Park High School, which provided her with opportunities to attend summer residential programs at UC San Diego and Georgetown University. These experiences broadened her horizons and introduced her to new possibilities beyond her immediate environment.
Challenges of First-Generation College Students
Angie shared her personal journey of navigating college as a first-generation student. She highlighted the economic and social challenges she faced at Georgetown University, including financial struggles and cultural adjustments. Her story underscores the importance of programs like Upward Bound in providing support and resources for first-generation students.
Community and Belonging
Angie emphasized the significance of community and belonging in her life. Whether it was her childhood home in Baldwin Park, her experiences at Harvey Mudd College, or her involvement with the Upward Bound program, these communities provided her with stability and support. She aims to create a similar sense of belonging for the students she works with.
Role of Family Influence
Angie credited her mother and grandfather for influencing her work ethic and independence. Her mother, a single parent who worked factory jobs, emphasized the importance of education as a pathway to a better life. Her grandfather taught her practical skills and problem-solving, further shaping her resilience and determination.
Educational Outreach and Support
As the director of the Harvey Mudd College Upward Bound Program, Angie is committed to helping low-income, first-generation high school students navigate the path to college. The program offers various resources, including tutoring, college planning, and summer residential programs, to ensure students are well-prepared for higher education.
Parental and Community Engagement
Angie also focuses on engaging parents and the community in the educational process. She conducts workshops to help parents understand the college application process and the financial aspects of higher education, aiming to dispel myths and provide accurate information.
Angie Covarrubias Aguilar Quotes
On Upward Bound’s Impact:
“This program changed my life. And I know that sounds cheesy, but it really did. It changed… I didn’t know Georgetown existed.”
On First-Generation Challenges:
“I realized, oh, how poor I really was growing up… Knowing the things I worried about didn’t seem to be outside things people worried about outside of the community.”
On Community and Belonging:
“Any opportunity that I would give my own kid, any advice that I would give my own student is what I want to give these high school students.”
Advice to Students:
“Leave your options open… You don’t know who you’re going to be in three years. You don’t know where life will take you and it’s better to have options open.”
On Parental Influence:
“My mom really raised me as a single mother… She was giving it her all. And so I think she was really charitable with, as a parent, displaying what she thought were her mistakes or her failures, so as they served as lessons for me.”
Show Notes
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Music Credits
Intro
Like it Loud, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
Stinger
Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library
Outro
Indecision, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
Angie Covarrubias Aguilar
Childhood Home in Baldwin Park
Angie mentioned her childhood home on Landis Avenue in Baldwin Park as a significant place. It was the first stable home she remembered, where she felt a sense of belonging and community. She often drives by the house to reminisce about her formative years.
Harvey Mudd College
Harvey Mudd College holds a special place in Angie’s heart, not only because she works there but also because it’s where she met her husband, Carlos. The college has been a significant part of her life, providing her with a sense of community and belonging.
L.A. Arboretum in Arcadia
Angie enjoys visiting the L.A. Arboretum in Arcadia, especially during the pandemic when she sought a place to feel grounded and connected to nature. The Arboretum offers various activities like meditation and forest bathing, making it a sanctuary for her and her family.
