Steve Valdez (Student)

On the weekend, business major, Stephen “Steve” Valdez, dons a jeweled jumpsuit, fake sideburns and fancy moves as he belts Elvis tunes for senior citizens alongside his mother. And when he’s not exercising his vocal and impersonation talents to seniors, you may find him serenading onlookers on Texas A&M University-San Antonio (A&M-SA) during Campus Karaoke.

Whether belting it out on stage or sitting in a classroom, Steve has learned to balance the joys and challenges of life.

Born and raised on the south side of San Antonio, Steve grew up in an impoverished, gang-ridden area, in a low-income household. In school, he didn’t feel he fit in because of his appearance. He was often the target of bullying and attacks. Luckily, with an ultra-conservative Christian upbringing and a love for music and the school band, Steve managed to stay away from trouble.

After several years of publishing a music magazine titled Entertainment News, becoming a freelance photojournalist for the South Side Reporter and authoring and publishing one of the first books on planning debuts called Quinceanera Planner: Debut of the Princess, he decided that it was time to finish pursuing a higher education; a goal that had long eluded him.

After struggling with a tough marriage and grappling with anxiety and uncertainty for years, he decided it was time to move forward and enroll at A&M-SA.

“I decided I wasn’t going to continue to argue with myself. I’m going to focus and do it,” he says.

He remembers the pivotal moment of being at the University’s Groundbreaking Ceremony. “The energy and vision it took from so many leaders to make this university happen was amazing,”he says.

Now, being able to attend the University after seeing the barren land, he feels he’s been part of the transformation process.

One of his fondest memories on campus was sitting in his first business class with fellow students getting back into the flow of being a student. “It felt familiar and new at the same time with most all of the work being online,” says Steve.

Steve takes a lot of pride in being able to tell people he is attending A&M-San Antonio and showing off his student ID at 48 years of age. He graciously thanks those who have helped him stay on course to attain his undergraduate degree.

“It’s the people at this university. They all worked together to help me when I was having a tough time,” says Steve. “I’ve never had so many people work to assist me.”

Steve’s three daughter are already following in their father’s footsteps to continue their education. One daughter finishing her masters at Youngstown State University in Ohio, the second working on her undergrad at UT Austin, and his third daughter in 7th grade with plans to go to college.

Steve is a proud Jaguar who boasts the marvel, pride, and humility that A&M-SA is designed to serve.

“It is truly a dream come true to walk these halls,” says Steve.