Rebeca A. Soto Avalos, a DACA student, is set to graduate from Montclair State University with an MA in Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration. Her journey to this achievement was influenced by a significant encounter while working as a physical therapy aide. She shared her struggles with a patient who later credited her with saving their life. This experience led Soto Avalos to change her career path from occupational therapy to counseling.
Born in San Salvador, El Salvador, Soto Avalos moved to the United States at age six due to rising violence in her home country. She worked alongside her mother cleaning homes and faced challenges as a DACA student, including being unable to receive federal financial aid despite being an honor student. She eventually obtained an associate degree from Bergen Community College and continued her education at Rutgers University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience.
Soto Avalos’s decision to attend Montclair State University was driven by its College for Community Health’s offerings. Despite financial concerns and personal challenges, she secured a graduate assistant position at Montclair’s Center for Research and Evaluation on Education and Human Services, which helped cover tuition costs.
Reflecting on her academic journey, Soto Avalos acknowledges the support of many individuals who contributed to her success. “It’s taken a village for me to finish this degree,” she says. Her story is one of resilience and determination as she prepares to celebrate her achievements alongside family and friends at Winter Commencement 2025.
“Having the amazing role models that I have had, my parents and brother, I say yes to the calling with my head held high,” Soto Avalos states. Her mortarboard will bear the message: “Para mis padres que llegaron sin nada pero me lo dieron todo.” To my parents, who arrived with nothing but gave me everything.
The graduation ceremony will take place on January 13 at Prudential Center.
