David Garces
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
As a first-generation student who attended school during the height of the pandemic, I have found personal struggles in the transition to college. I understand the difficulties that come from navigating a large space and finding your community. I became a Terrier F1rst Advocate because my experiences have shown me the importance of uplifting the experiences of first-generation students in Higher Education. I am an advocate of creating a safe space for students that is free of judgment and seeks to understand and validate any concerns. Additionally, I want to help support an understanding of the hidden curriculum around what it means to be a college student.
Gender Identity and Pronouns: Cisgendered Male, He/Him Pronouns
Race, Ethnicity, and/or Nationality: Latino
Languages Spoken: Intermediate Spanish, Fluent English
Hometown: Naugatuck, CT
Business/Industry of Interest: Business
Personal Facts/ Hobbies/ Interests:
My family is from Ecuador, and I am proud of my roots. We always will have bachata, merengue, or reggaeton playing in the background as we eat meals together or cook. I watch sports quite often, with some of my favorites being soccer and basketball. In our family, we love watching FC Barcelona and started following Manchester City in the Premier League. Recently, me and my brother decided to do a last-minute road trip to Philadelphia to watch Ecuador play Ivory Coast in the World Cup.
I love spending time in the kitchen either cooking or baking! I have been doing it for around 10+ years and started learning when I was 14. I have recently started experimenting with creating low sugar and oat flour pastries. Some other hobbies I have been picking up recently are practicing guitar and getting into reading.