Testimonials

Mr. Fuentes, is a wise man with great experiences that helped him learn to be where he is now. His experience helped me choose a great pathway at college. He made me realize the importance of being ready in your career. I wouldn't be here without his wise words along the way.

Zack Nerio, Rivera High School c/o 2011, University of Texas c/o 2018

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Mr. Joe Fuentes is a good friend to me and my daughter’s Higher Education Coordinator & Leadership Advisor at San Benito High School. Through San Benito High, I met Joe and got to know him as a great educator, not only in teaching English but to have kids get a higher goal for their future.

Mr. Fuentes is a good planer on designing curriculums which makes his English studying program be a more vivid educational plan. Students like to participate in these programs which make them be able to get many new skills to face national English exams in a more effective way.

Mr. Fuentes is one of the favorite educators of my daughter, whom just came to the United States two years ago. She had learned many things from Joe and talked so much about him in teaching to me. Unlucky to my daughter, Mr. Fuentes left the school shortly after my daughter had taken his classes in San Benito High. Mr. Fuentes enlightened my daughter in English learning and life guidance. She is missing his advising and encouragement.  Joe is a great educator and my family and I really like him.

Regards,

Felix Fu (Parent)

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My name is Raquel Lozano, and I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics from Texas A&M University on May 10, 2018. However, before starting my college education, I sought advice from Mr. Fuentes. I had previously heard from other students how much Mr. Fuentes had helped them; therefore I decided to speak with him about my uncertainty. I told Mr. Fuentes that I wasn’t sure what I should major in or if I should even pursue a higher education. He helped me find a program at Texas A&M University that combined Economics and Public Policy; two of my favorite subjects. I would not have pursued that pathway had I not talked to him in the first place, and I am truly grateful. He has served as a mentor for me for the past 6 years, and I still find myself asking for his advice from time to time.

Rachel Lozano, Rivera High c/o 2014, Texas A&M University  c/o 2018

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Mr. Fuentes made sure I knew what to expect when I got to college. Not only did he run a class exactly like a college one, but he actually sat down and explained to me the different types of financial aid

available to me. He did not only do this when I was a high school senior, but he continued to answer any question and help me with any problem I faced during my college career. I do not think I would be where I am today without his help. He is one of the few people that inspired me to become an educator in order to provide the same amount of help and support he has done with so many of his students.

Michelle Pena, Rivera High School c/o 2012, Stephen F Austin University c/o 2016

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During my time in high school I didn’t have access to much academic assistance, let alone guidance when it came to college and my future career. Nevertheless, Mr. Fuentes was able to genuinely reach many students including myself. He personally took the time on several occasions to help me gain an understanding of the path I wanted to follow during my sophomore year in high school. He provided me with the necessary mentoring and guidance that I value till this day as a senior of 2019, while I work toward a double major at the University of Texas at Austin in Law and Business.

Santos, San Benito High School c/o 2019

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When I started my dual-enrollment courses with Mr. Fuentes back at Rio Hondo High School with Texas A&M Kingsville, I was absolutely entranced and interested in going to get out of high school and get into university. The ideas he brought and opportunities he opened up for me were so incredible. Every day, whether it be an in-depth and interesting lecture over history, to even bringing in past graduates from universities to have one-on-one conversations with us over preparing for college life. Mr. Fuentes also opened up the conversation over having a campus job and what careers to look out and go after, especially ones suited towards our major. Because of this I fought and ultimately landed a career with my universities media department. I never felt more prepared and ready for college than when I was with him. Even when I was confused during an advising session with my university, I was able to call and have Mr. Fuentes take me step by step on what classes to take and what transcripts to submit. Mr. Fuentes is personally one of the reasons why I have taken my academic life so seriously and will continue to until I graduate from the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley.

Jerry Galindo, Rio Hondo High c/o 2017, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley c/o 2020

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Working with Mr. Fuentes by going to him for advice helped set me up for success and lead me to where I am today. He was very direct in his approach to college readiness by focusing on three things: cost, efficiency and career outcomes.

He placed an emphasis on scholarships and finding ways to fund my education and focused on programs that saved me time and allowed me to graduate sooner than the rest of my classmates. Most importantly, he helped students like myself find university programs and majors that lead to the best career opportunities in the future.

I appreciate having him bring back former students to speak on their college experience. I had a great time sharing what I learned with his students and passing on the knowledge I gained. His approach to college and career readiness is very effective in many ways and I am grateful for the help I received.

Rolando Ferguson, Rivera High School c/o 2014, Texas A&M (B.S. Economics) c/o 2017