As freshman forward Jesus Alvarez sprints across the soccer field in his white and blue Siena Heights uniform, he carries with him a desire to win that is deeper than mere competitive spirit. His drive to succeed comes from ganas, a Spanish word that combines motivation, desire, determination, grit, and intention, all into one. It’s so powerful that it can’t be translated into a single English word.  

“Ganas has a big impact on me,” said Jesus, who grew up in Dearborn, Michigan. “I see my parents always giving their best effort and it makes me want to give my best effort. Their work ethic is insane and that really inspires me to be like them.” 

Jesus’s parents were both born in Mexico and worked diligently and sacrificially to raise their family in America. Though they didn’t have the opportunity to finish their own schooling, they saw the value in education for Jesus, who excelled in high school academics. “They really encouraged me to go to college,” said Jesus. “They’re happy that I am here pursuing a career as a mechanical engineer.” 

As a high school athlete, Jesus made the all-district team in Division I as well as winning an all-state academic award. “I knew it was important to do well in high school if I wanted to go to college,” said Jesus. “Fortunately, I received a number of scholarships and other financial aid that make it possible for me to be here.” 

While searching for the right college, Jesus was not only looking for affordability, but also for a close community where he could continue his involvement in soccer. “The one thing that I really like about Siena is they want to make sure it’s affordable for students,” explains Jesus. “They really worked to get my cost down to as minimal as possible. They do a great job helping students with low income.” 

Siena Heights’ STEM scholarship program assisted Jesus in making college more affordable while also preparing him for a high demand job in engineering. The scholarships were made possible through a $1,000,000 federal grant Siena Heights was awarded in 2022 for scholarships, equipment, and supplies to advance education in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). 

“If you enjoy a peaceful environment where you can make friends with really anyone, I really recommend Siena. Especially if you’re a low-income student, too. Siena is a really good place to call home and I’ve really been enjoying it here.”