Our Impact

One standout from the Class of 2024 is Ashley Rostran, now a first-year student at Yale University, where she’s double majoring in Economics and Ethnicity, Race, and Migration with a certificate in Global Health.

Ashley credits her success to ICA Cristo Rey’s dedicated faculty and the Corporate Work Study (CWS) program, which gave her invaluable professional experience. During her junior and senior years, Ashley worked at KGO-TV ABC7 News Station, an experience that she believed helped prepare her for college interviews and boosted her confidence when presenting herself to the 13 colleges that offered her an acceptance. “I felt proud explaining the skills I gained working with different companies throughout high school,” she shared.

ICA Cristo Rey also played a key role in fostering Ashley’s passion for healthcare. She participated in ICA’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program in partnership with the University of San Francisco’s School of Nursing and Health Professions. Through this program, Ashley and her classmates earned CNA certification, equipping them with hands-on skills and credentials to pursue careers in healthcare.

Kathleen Zapata, now a first-year student at Harvard, is pursuing Biomedical and Chemical Engineering. In the spring of 2024, Kathleen received acceptances to an impressive 15 colleges, including prestigious schools like Yale, Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt, Cornell, and UCLA. After thoughtful discussions with supportive faculty and staff at ICA, and attending an admitted students event at Harvard, Kathleen confidently chose Harvard, where her tuition is fully covered.

Kathleen's inspiring journey reflects ICA Cristo Rey’s rigorous academic environment and the unwavering support of its dedicated educators and corporate mentors. Her Corporate Work Study (CWS) placement at AbbVie, a biotech company, with an all-female team provided her with invaluable mentorship and encouragement. “I’ve gained so many amazing mentors, a safe space, and the confidence to pursue a career as a scientist,” Kathleen shared

Now settling into life in Boston, Kathleen is eager to explore the vast opportunities at Harvard and the city beyond. She also plans to participate in Harvard’s dual-enrollment program with MIT to further her engineering studies.

Giselle Gonzalez is the first ICA Cristo Rey student in over two decades to be accepted into and attend Yale University. As a first-generation college-bound Latina student, she is proud to be part of the 10.6% of Hispanic students currently at Yale. She says, “I chose to commit to Yale because of how small the undergraduate population is (about 6,590) while UCs or other larger public universities are about 30,000+ students. So coming from a small school community like ICA, I felt like I would be better receiving an education where classes are smaller and I can have more interactions with professors along with my peers.” After her job placement at an Advanced Clinical bio-tech company, she was inspired to learn more about biomedical engineering and other STEM careers.

Giselle wants her Spartan Sisters to know: “Nothing is impossible! I wanted to apply to as many schools as I could because I didn't want to regret it later on. When you begin your college applications, don’t give up on yourself and just go for it. You never know what can happen.”

Jasmin Gonzalez Ortiz’s inspiring journey at ICA Cristo Rey highlights the transformative impact of the Corporate Work Study (CWS) program. Now a first-generation first-year student at Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business, Jasmin is double majoring in Finance and Marketing.

Her CWS placement at Spyglass Capital Management during her junior and senior years played a crucial role in her college application process. “Talking about my experience in my college applications made me feel proud of what I’ve accomplished,” she shared. Her time at Spyglass strengthened her resume, increased her confidence, and gave her real-world insights into the finance industry. The summer after graduation, Jasmin was offered an internship at Spyglass Capital Management, and she continues to deepen her knowledge and passion for finance at Santa Clara University.

Gabriela Lanza, Class of 2018, has been shaped by the connections, opportunities, and support she received at ICA Cristo Rey. Gabriela attended the University of San Francisco, majoring in Media Studies with a minor in Film. Through the Corporate Work Study program, Gabriela spent all four years of high school working at Dome Construction and later continued as a Marketing Assistant there during college. "The Corporate Work Study program introduced me to my Dome family, and without them, I don’t think I’d be at ABC7 now," she reflects. Gabriela now works as a Production Assistant and Video Editor at KGO-TV ABC7, an ICA Cristo Rey Corporate Partner, and credits the Corporate Work Study Team for helping her pursue her dream career.

Tiara Reed, Class of 2010, graduated with a degree in Psychology from UC Berkeley. Today, she works as a Therapeutic Preschool Teacher for the Early Childhood Mental Health Program, a nonprofit organization in the East Bay that provides essential support to families dealing with life stressors and trauma. Tiara is proud to serve vulnerable communities in her work, a commitment that aligns with the Dominican values of service and community emphasized during her time at ICA Cristo Rey.

For Tiara, ICA Cristo Rey’s all-girls environment fostered a deep sense of community and empowerment. "Being in an all-girls school really highlights the power of women working together. It taught me that when we collaborate and put our strengths together, we're unstoppable," she says.

Tiara also credits ICA with nurturing her empathetic side, an important trait in her current profession. "I had teachers and counselors who supported me beyond the classroom, which helped me understand the importance of being attuned to others and offering support when possible," she recalls. Her favorite subjects at ICA Cristo Rey—psychology, social studies, and humanities—fueled her fulfilling career in mental health.