Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods and spirit make residents feel at home, regardless of where their story originated.
Gaby Garcia Rodriguez, B’27, grew up in Veracruz, Mexico. Now a triple major in information systems and technology, marketing and business analytics, her father’s job brought their family to the United States during Gaby’s senior
year of high school.
She received a crash course in the United States’ college application process while
simultaneously applying to schools in Mexico.
“I applied to multiple universities, but Duquesne was closest to home and the only
one I toured that I fell in love with,” said Gaby. “My English as a second language
teacher at Seneca Valley High School talked about Pittsburgh universities with me
and mentioned Duquesne. My Catholic faith is very close to me and my family, so that
was a plus.”
Meaningful connections
Gaby’s appreciation for Pittsburgh’s cultural scene sealed the deal. She explored
music, art and restaurants alongside her parents—quickly learning that Pittsburgh
is a city of unexpected connections.
As her family walked through the Strip District, they noticed a flyer advertising
a Mexican folk band and decided to attend the performance. They settled into the audience
when a band member called out to Gaby’s dad and greeted him enthusiastically.
“It was my parents’ friend from middle school in Mexico, and I realized how small
the world is,” said Gaby. “They were really excited to see my dad and invited him
to play with them on stage. Since then, I have a lot of stories and connections with
my hometown, so Pittsburgh’s cultural aspect really stood out to me.”
Prepared for anything
Gaby was a competitive rhythmic gymnast who trained alongside Olympic medalists. She
fell in love with teaching when coaches asked her to assist with younger athletes,
and she realized she’d like to pursue a career related to education.
As Gaby settled into her new life on the Bluff, she began to add depth to these aspirations.
Valuable conversations with her Success Coach Jessica Black Parr provided support and helped set the course for her triple major in the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. After graduation, Gaby is considering a master’s in education.
“My dream is to have my own school in Mexico, so with all this business knowledge
I can apply it to that when I go back,” said Gaby. “It’s a mix of everything I need.”
Faculty and staff have cheered Gaby on along the way—helping to shape this chapter
of her story and foster her ambitions.
“The person who has provided the most consistent support and guidance throughout my
college journey has been my Success Coach,” said Gaby. “She has helped me navigate
each semester and has made me feel supported throughout my time at Duquesne.”
Additionally, Gaby feels fortunate to attend a University with professors who make
classes meaningful while contributing to her academic and personal growth.
“The professors understand my situation of being an international student and have
given me so many avenues and resources that I'm just so grateful for,” she said.
A community leader
Gaby also is a member of Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, worked as an Enrollment
Management Group operations and communications assistant, and serves as vice president
of the Association of Information Systems and secretary of the American Marketing
Association chapter on campus. Gaby aims to foster community through student involvement,
and through these efforts she met her best friends and built lifelong, inspiring connections.
“I'm part of multiple organizations with a goal of bringing them all together to create
connection,” she said.
Gaby’s sisterhood in Gamma Phi Beta sorority has been instrumental in helping her
reach this goal. Her sisters show up to campus events to support her and they’re always
available when she wants to bounce ideas off fellow students.
Gaby knew Gamma Phi Beta was right for her when she made another hometown connection
during Panhellenic recruitment.
“I met a girl whose uncle used to work in my hometown,” said Gaby. “It was a shock
for me because usually nobody knows where my state in Mexico is. Mid-conversation,
she started speaking to me in Spanish.”
Even with a triple major and busy schedule, Gaby never second-guesses her path.
“I say yes to opportunities because you experience college once,” said Gaby. “Now
that it’s coming to an end, I’m trying to grasp everything and enjoy it. Many years
from now, I’ll look back and say I did everything, met all these amazing people, had
the time of my life and I don’t regret a single day of it.”
For Gaby, choosing Duquesne is about far more than earning a degree or building a
career. She’s discovered her strengths and who she wants to be—all while embracing
new experiences.
“What started as a big leap into the unknown became one of the most meaningful decisions I ever made,” she said.
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