Puerto Rican Student at Embry-Riddle Shoots for the Stars, Inspires Others

Gálvez Alfonso is the recipient of a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship. (Photo: Embry-Riddle/Wilmar A. Gálvez Alfonso)

For as long as she can remember, Embry-Riddle student Wilmar A. Gálvez Alfonso has wanted to become an astronaut and has been laser-focused on that goal.

“Space is something I’ve always found so fascinating,” said Gálvez Alfonso. “I remember being at Show and Tell in grade school, wearing an astronaut helmet. It’s a dream I’ve had ever since I’ve been young and what I’ve set my mind to.”

Just one year into her Aerospace Engineering studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, she said she already feels closer to achieving her goals, thanks to the support of a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship and opportunities provided through the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.

At the same time, Gálvez Alfonso, who is from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, is inspiring young people back on the island to follow their dreams through her social media platform, Wilmar Reaching for the Stars, on Facebook and Instagram. Through outreach to local K-12 schools, she shares her journey as an aspiring astronaut and guides students on how to realize their potential in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

“Something I struggled with a lot in middle and high school was finding different opportunities to help with my professional development or prepare me to go to college,” she said. “So I try to share what I’ve learned and encourage them to follow their own dreams and reach for the stars.”

One of the highlights of Gálvez Alfonso’s year was visiting the White House last fall for the Hispanic Heritage Foundation Young Latinos in the Space Industry event, where she interviewed two Latino NASA astronauts, Marcos Berrios and Frank Rubio.

Gálvez Alfonso also met retired NASA astronaut, José M. Hernández. Hernández’s life story inspired the 2023 movie “A Million Miles Away,” which details his journey from being the child of Mexican migrant workers to becoming a NASA flight engineer and astronaut.

“It was amazing being able to meet astronauts and hear their stories,” she said. “It was a really eye-opening experience to be in a place with so many accomplished people in the aerospace industry.”

Gálvez Alfonso is pursuing her dream of becoming an astronaut while inspiring young people in her native Puerto Rico to enter STEM fields through her social media platform, Wilmar Reaching for the Stars. (Photo: Embry-Riddle/Wilmar A. Gálvez Alfonso)

Gálvez Alfonso said her interest in science and space was encouraged by her mother, who is a middle school science teacher. In high school, she worked hard academically and participated in the FIRST Robotics competition. She was selected for the U.S. Air Force’s Aim High Flight Academy and NAF/ Raytheon Future Engineers internship, as well as a Hispanic Heritage Foundation Youth Award.

As she started looking for universities with aerospace engineering programs, one of her cousins, who is a pilot and earned a master’s degree from Embry-Riddle Worldwide, suggested she apply to Embry-Riddle.

“I realized Embry-Riddle really aligned with my passions and what I wanted to do in life, as an aerospace engineer and an astronaut,” said Gálvez Alfonso.

Her next challenge was funding her dream. She spent months applying for any scholarship she could find. Her efforts paid off when she was awarded the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship for high-achieving high school seniors with financial need.

“That scholarship is what really helped me to be able to pursue my degree in aerospace engineering,” said Gálvez Alfonso. “It was very gratifying and a huge relief financially as well.”

She is also excited to get hands-on work experience this summer. As a recipient of an Amazon Future Engineer scholarship, she will intern at the company.

“My dream, combined with the support system from my family, is what has truly helped me continue on and keep me motivated to achieve my goal,” said Gálvez Alfonso.

Posted In: Space