It was just another night at the Seguin High School concession stand. The Matadors were playing football, and Cathy Beiker, a TLU math and computer science professor who helps out a lot at the high school, was hard at work selling sodas and snacks. An alum of SHS herself, she still actively volunteers whenever she can even though her two sons have already graduated. She was working with another volunteer—a recent graduate named Isis Vargas. “I noticed that she was very quick in making transactions at the window,” Beiker says. “I went home and told my husband about Isis.”

As it happened, Beiker’s husband had worked with Vargas the week before, and he’d also noticed that she was both quick and accurate—plus she’d demonstrated great people skills. Soon after that, Beiker was paired with Vargas at the concession stand again, this time at a basketball game. She decided to approach Vargas and ask her about her college plans. “She said that she had thought about it,” Beiker remembers. “I could tell she was interested but really didn't know how to make the connection to the university. I told her I could help her make the connection and told her how bright she was and that TLU would be a perfect fit for her.”

“College was always in the back of my mind,” says Vargas. “However, as a first-generation student there is always a burden that I carry of not being able to gain or remain in a college mindset. It’s always been something that I’ve envisioned and manifested for myself.”

Beiker assured Vargas that TLU class sizes are similar to those at SHS and that she would be able to continue working at her waitressing job while going to school. She also told her that although TLU is a private university, it would be—believe it or not—affordable. “She said she would think about it,” says Beiker. “The next week in the concession stand, I approached her as she was working and asked her if she had thought about college and she said, ‘I'd like to give it a try!’ I said GREAT! Let's meet with financial aid.”

The two set up a meeting with TLU Director of Financial Aid Erica Miller, who encouraged Vargas further. From there, Vargas immediately went on to admissions. “She was so excited,” Beiker remembers. Vargas opted to register for the 2025 spring semester rather than waiting until the following fall. Beiker took the time to encourage her through the application and admission process. “I really thought that we should meet and talk about college compared to high school. We visited and I explained that times could get tough but that she could do it! I explained the demands of college compared to high school. She listened to every word. She wanted to succeed!”

The next Friday, Beiker was running the clock at a high school basketball game. She was surprised when Vargas came up behind her and hugged her. “I got in!” she said. “We were both so very excited!” says Beiker.

“The main reason I’m here is because of Professor Beiker and her strong belief in my ability to succeed,” says Vargas. “She has been there every step of the way, and her encouragement has really cleared any doubts in my mind.”

Now well into her first semester, Vargas is settling into campus life. “It’s going great. I love the vibe on campus, everyone is really nice,” she says. She recognizes the value of soaking in the college experience and interacting with the community. “You learn new things about yourself.” She plans to study education be a teacher herself one day—a field where she’ll have ample opportunity to flip the script and encourage countless other students.

Even now she has a few words of advice for high school students who are trying to decide whether college is attainable for them. “Even when you fall into a challenging position in life, you can still find your way to a college education. You are capable of achieving greatness and you can do it, as long as you go to class. Everyone deserves the opportunity of education.”

“There are many students like Isis who just need a helping hand,” adds Beiker. “She wanted a better life. She wanted to live on her own and have a meaningful job. They just need to have the courage to walk through our doors. I'm so excited to watch Isis mature and become a teacher in the Seguin community! What an example she will be to those around her!”