Work, friendship, school: Isabella Becerra’s college journey

BY LESLIE POSADAS

Multimedia Journalist

Juggling three jobs, good academics and deep involvement on campus, Isabella Becerra will walk the stage toward graduation this May.

Becerra, who is originally from Florida, found her home at Tarleton State University three years ago.

Despite having to be financially self-reliant from the beginning, she never let it stand in the way of achieving her dreams.

Becerra started working at the Student Welcome Center, later took a job at Firehouse Subs and recently began working as a teaching assistant in the genetics lab.

“I started working at the Welcome Center, and that was probably the best decision I ever made coming to college,” Becerra said. “It kind of gave me a home away from home.”

Eeva Linna, a student at Tarleton State University who works beside Becerra at the Welcome Center, has felt her impact since the day they met.

“She was the first person I met here, and that moment truly changed everything for me,” Linna said. “If it weren’t for Bella, I honestly don’t think I’d be at Tarleton today.”

“Her campus tour completely changed my outlook, and she inspired me to choose this university and get involved,” Linna said. “Everything I’m a part of now can be traced back to her influence because she paved the way and gave me the confidence to push beyond my limits.”

Even with the challenges of managing work, school and her social life, Becerra has no regrets.

“If I were to do college again, I would still work as much as I do,” Becerra said. “I’m just one of those people who has to be busy all the time, and to me, it’s rewarding that after my three years here, my college education is going to be debt-free, and I still made quality friendships.”

Becerra grew up in Florida until high school, when her father took a job on a dairy farm in Plainview, Texas.

Her family has since moved back to Florida, and although Becerra still misses them, she has found comfort in mentors like Savannah Trantham, who was previously the director of the Welcome Center.

“Being so far away from home, it’s like I don’t have my family here, and it’s hard sometimes because I just want to call my mom and talk to her, but all I can do is hear her voice over the phone,” Becerra said. “So Sav was really kind of like that mothering role model for me; she cared for me professionally and helped me grow.”

While working three jobs, Becerra still found ways to stay connected with her friends and enjoy her social life.

“I joined Alpha Gamma Delta, and that brought me so many amazing friendships,” Becerra said. “My roommates now and some of my best friends are associated with Alpha Gamma, so I love the sisterhood, and I wouldn’t give up that either.”

Throughout her time at Tarleton, Becerra has also been involved with other leadership roles, such as being a Tarleton Transition Mentor for two years, orientation staff and on the Roundup leadership team.

“My first semester, especially, was hard to transition into,” Becerra said. “When you get to campus, you don’t know anybody, and that’s why joining those organizations, getting those jobs, is what helped me the most.”

Zully E. Contreras-Correa, the assistant professor of the Animal Science department, has witnessed Becerra’s growth firsthand.

“I’ve seen a lot of professional and personal growth because when I first met her, she had minimal animal handling experience,” Contreras said. “She worked a lot with dairy cows from back home, but this was a small ruminant project, and she got to do blood collection, take body weights and feed these animals, so she showed a lot of responsibility.”

Becerra worked under Contreras on a research project, which was then presented at the Division of Research, Innovation and Economic Development Research Symposium for the American Society of Animal Sciences, where Becerra won first place, leaving everyone impressed with her three-minute thesis.

“Her three-minute thesis presentation at the American Society of Animal Sciences was outstanding; I just feel so proud of her and her hard work. Sometimes we feel like hard work doesn’t pay off, but that’s a day that it paid off. The way that she answered questions to the public, the way that she talked to other scientists, that was that was a great impression and a great satisfaction to me as a mentor,” Contreras said.

In the days leading up to the presentation, Becerra struggled to balance work with preparation, but Contreras stepped in to help her through it.

“She works at Firehouse Subs, so I went by around nine p.m., and she was there working, and I said, ‘Timer starts now, tell me your speech over the counter.’ So, that shows her commitment towards work,” Contreras said.

As Becerra gets ready to walk the stage this May, she is struck with all the emotions possible, and although her plans for the future are still on the table, she is excited for what lies ahead.

“What I look forward to the most is walking across the stage knowing my parents are going to be there watching me and all the amazing people that helped me get the degree, from those mentors to those amazing friendships that I’ve had, I just can’t wait to make my parents proud.”

As Linna looks back on her time with Becerra, nothing but words of encouragement come to mind.

“Bella, never stop being the amazing person you are,” Linna said. “As much as I wish I could convince you to stay in Stephenville forever, I know the world needs what you have to offer, and you’re going to make an impact wherever you go, and I truly believe one day we’ll all get to call you Dr. Bella Becerra – and I can’t wait to see it happen.”