If you attended the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno's Tu Bienvenida event to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, you may have heard the captivating voice of Jesus Godinez Garcia, who performed with the University's Mariachi band.
As a member of the Mariachi band, Garcia is able to connect with his cultural roots while pursuing his love for music. "I've always loved Mariachi music because my family has always played it, and I grew up listening to it," he shared. "Some of the songs are traditional, so I already knew them by heart. I also like learning new music on top of what I already know."
One of his friends recommended that he join the University's Mariachi band. "I have never been in a club before, so I was excited to try it out," Garcia said.
Music has been central to Garcia's life since he started playing drums at nine years old. Over time, his interests expanded to other instruments like guitar, bass and piano, as well as singing. Garcia has been performing for three years and thrives on the experience of sharing his love for music with others.
Garcia is a first-year student in the University’s Path to Independence (P2I) program, which helps students with intellectual disabilities gain independence through education, life skills and community engagement. "I joined P2I because I wanted to learn more about living on my own and becoming more independent, and I wanted to make more friends," Garcia said.
He is currently taking a range of courses, including Student Success Lab, Pre-Employment Transition Services, Intro to Criminal Justice, Relationships and Sexuality, and Music Appreciation. Garcia speaks highly of the supportive environment provided by P2I, particularly his educational coaches Reagan, Mayuko and Logan, who help him stay on track in class and during study hall.
P2I faculty Ryah McKay, Brie Paiva and Nicole Wadden describe Garcia as a positive and hardworking student who is always willing to support his peers. "Jesus has been a wonderful addition to our P2I program. His dedication and positive attitude make him a valuable part of our community, and we know he will continue to thrive," Nicole Wadden, assistant director of P2I, said.
While Garcia does not yet have an internship, he is looking forward to interning with the Campus Police next semester as part of his work rotation.
Beyond academics and music, Garcia is also active on social media, where he expresses himself through his YouTube channel, "Hanging with Jesus," vlogging and posting podcast-style videos. His outgoing and funny personality shines through in his content, where he shares his thoughts and connects with others.
The Path to Independence (P2I) program, housed in the ÁùºÏ±¦µä Center for Excellence (NCED) in the College of Education & Human Development, is a two-year postsecondary education certificate program for students with intellectual disabilities (ID). It offers opportunities for academic and campus life involvement, independent living, and employment, helping students like Garcia achieve their personal and professional goals.
