Gabriel Z. Narvaez
B.A., magna cum laude, with Departmental Honors in Sociology, 2018
Owner, GZN Enterprises and Elliot Bay Construction LLC
Student, M.S.W. Program, Boise State University
Although he didn’t complete high school, Gabe got his G.E.D. and then worked in construction. After his son was born, Gabe decided it was time to earn his bachelor’s degree. Gabe, a single father, commutes to Yakima each week to care for his 7 year-old son. He is hoping to find a path to make a positive contribution in the lives of others less fortunate and to inspire people to do their best. Currently he is running a successful contracting business.
Seattle Central College, Associate of Arts, 2016
Service:
Mentor to young men
Student ambassador for the Seattle University 125th Anniversary Gala
Awards/honors:
2018 The Archbishop Raymond G. Hunthausen Award
Segundo Montes Mozo, S.J., Service Award – College of Arts and Science
Ignatian Leader
Member, Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society
Non-Traditional Student Representative, Student Government of Seattle University
Messina Scholarship, Seattle University
Gala Scholarship, Seattle University
Seattle Central Dean’s List, every quarter
Seattle Central President’s List, every quarter
Goals: My motivation is to continue the work ethic my family has instilled in me by serving disenfranchised communities either in the educational arena or through law. I hope to become a leader who can make a positive contribution to the lives of others less fortunate than myself and to inspire people to be their best regardless of their situation.
Civility: To me, civility is doing what is right, maintaining composure, finding a common ground, and being willing to compromise for the greater good. Just as incivility spreads, civility spreads similarly. For me, it is not an option; it is my responsibility to foster civility throughout my environmental surroundings, my community, and especially those closest to me. Doing my part will encourage and inspire others to act in the same manner; even for those who are purely observing, optimism will increase. Civility is not just a word or an isolated instance; it is an ideological way of life.
Autobiography: I am 33 years old and am the father of a five-year-old son. I was born and raised in the Seattle area. I attended K-12 schooling but ultimately never graduated high school. Following this, I began working without ever seriously contemplating a higher education. Sometimes life went well; at other times it was a struggle. In 2010, I earned my GED with high scores, but ultimately decided to continue working and placed education on the shelf.
In 2011, my son was born, and I moved to Yakima, WA, to be a part of his life. Being a father changed my perspective on the future; merely surviving was not sufficient. I wanted to offer more. In 2014, after much encouragement by close peers and family members and a burning desire to better my life, I committed to the pursuit of a higher education and enrolled in courses at Seattle Central College. Living in Eastern Washington, I took all online courses (one of my first courses was keyboarding); this enabled me to continue working while retaining the flexibility to read books to my son’s pre-school class or take him fishing. Surrounding myself with good people and being motivated by a greater purpose in life, I graduated with honors. An advisor at SCC mentioned that I should consider applying to Seattle University. Although hesitant, I did apply. Soon after, I received an e-mail from S.U. informing me of a groundbreaking scholarship, the Alfie Scholars. Never having applied for a scholarship before, I questioned myself, but again was encouraged by those around me. I applied for this new scholarship and was called in for an interview; as I approached the door I could hear the sound of laughter inside. It did not take long to realize how much I truly wanted to be a part of this cohort; the resources and contacts are like nothing I have seen available anywhere else. It is because of the Alfie Scholars that I am a student at Seattle University.
