Escobedo helps student athletes succeed on and off the field

Silvia Escobedo has been part of San Jacinto College’s North Campus athletics and physical education departments for almost a decade, providing valuable support to both coaching staff and student athletes.  

Escobedo helps ensure smooth office operations while helping student athletes navigate their academic journey. She enjoys assisting students from the ApplyTexas application to graduation and everything in between.  

She started as a federal work-study in the veteran success center at the North Campus while working on her Associate of Arts in business. After graduating in 2015, Escobedo was hired into her current position. Her experience helps her understand things from students’ perspective.  

“Many of our student athletes are away from home for the first time, and they need extra support with things like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, tech support, Blackboard, the SOS system, and more,” Escobedo said. “I’m here to help them or refer them to the appropriate person or department to get their issues resolved as quickly as possible so they can focus on their studies and the field.” 

Best part of the job 

Escobedo feels lucky to work with an “amazing team” of coaches and student athletes.  

“Year after year it gives me great joy to know that by taking care of the office operations, the coaches can fully focus on coaching our Ravens baseball players to be successful on the field and chart a brighter future on their baseball careers beyond San Jac,” she said. 

Escobedo believes San Jac is a great place to work because student success is at the heart of everything the College does. 

“That is what keeps me here,” she said. “Each employee, faculty, or administrator contributes in their own way, and collectively we complete the pathway to student success. As one of the Top 10 colleges in the nation, San Jac is making a big impact on our community, with graduation and accreditation rates showing it is the best place to work and pursue higher education.” 

Escobedo feels a great sense of accomplishment and plans to continue helping students achieve their goals toward graduation and beyond, whether they enter the workforce or transfer. Some student athletes have gone on to play at four-year universities such as Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, Indiana State Sycamores, and the New Mexico University Lobos.  

“Most of our players get drafted in the minor leagues and work their way up to the Major Leagues,” she said. “We’ve had a few lucky enough to get drafted right after graduating from San Jac. It is very humbling to look them up online and see where they are at and know that San Jac took part in their career, and I too had a small part in it.”  

On a personal note 

“I’m an Army veteran,” Escobedo said. “I served two years active duty, nine years reserves, and deployed twice to Iraq. I am very proud and humbled to be first-generation [first-time college graduate and a first-time military service member].” 

Outside work, Escobedo relaxes by working in her front yard flower bed and walking her dogs.