There’s a saying: “Make sure your ceiling is their floor.”
For Fatima Perez, a senior finance and accounting major set to graduate this week from Prairie View A&M University, this sentiment perfectly captures her journey. Reflecting on her accomplishments, Perez expresses gratitude for her faith, her family, and the resilience that has carried her through challenges. It hasn’t always been easy, but she has faced self-doubt head-on.
Questions like “Am I good enough? Am I smart enough?” no longer hold weight against her deep appreciation for the opportunities she’s embraced and the legacy she represents.
“When I look back, I look all the way back,” Perez says with a smile. “The foundation my family has built inspires me to aim higher. My hope is that my success—my peak—becomes someone else’s starting point. That’s the extraordinary strength of Black and Brown communities: all it takes is one person to crack open the door.”
A daughter of immigrants and the first in her family to attend and excel in college, she remembers who helped her get to that point: her father, the first in his family to graduate high school; Her mother, the first daughter in her family to immigrate to the United States, and her grandparents, who are hardworking, salt-of-the-earth farmers.
“It might take generations of sacrifices to finally push that door open, but once it happens, the impact is extraordinary,” Perez said. “The person who makes it through doesn’t stop there. They turn back to uplift their siblings, their friends, their family. They share the wealth, the knowledge, and the opportunities that previous generations were denied.”
Throughout her college career, Perez has sought opportunities to grow, connect and achieve. In addition to her participation in such organizations as Halliburton’s R.I.S.E. Scholar program, HBCU Battle of the Brains, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, and the Business Scholars Summer Program, she has gained professional development, mentorship and hands-on experiences that prepare her for success beyond the classroom.
“Together, these experiences not only deepened my sense of community but also equipped me with the tools, confidence, and inspiration to pursue my goals with purpose and determination,” Perez said. “Competing in the HBCU Battle of the Brains challenged me to think critically, collaborate with a talented team, and represent our HBCU on a national stage. Joining Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society reinforced the importance of academic excellence and connected me with like-minded peers who pushed me to excel further. The Business Scholars Summer Program laid a strong foundation for my business acumen and leadership skills while fostering meaningful relationships.”
Her accomplishments extend beyond campus, with internships at companies such as Halliburton, Deloitte, KPMG, and Oxy shaping her career aspirations.
“At Halliburton, as an Internal Controls Intern, I gained valuable insights into the importance of governance, risk management, and compliance in a large-scale corporate environment, which strengthened my foundation in accounting principles,” Perez said. “My upcoming role at Deloitte as a Consulting Intern will allow me to develop problem-solving skills, client management experience, and strategic thinking—key competencies for my long-term goals. Similarly, my upcoming Winter Audit Internship at KPMG will offer hands-on experience in financial auditing, enhancing my understanding of financial reporting and assurance. Finally, my upcoming Accounting Internship at Oxy will provide exposure to the energy sector and deepen my technical accounting skills.”
She looks forward to upcoming internships that will further develop her expertise, including a consulting role at Deloitte, a winter audit internship at KPMG, and an accounting internship at Oxy.
These experiences, Perez says, are inspired by her father, whom she deeply admires for his ability to “do anything and everything with confidence and skill.” She also credits her mother for her unwavering support and encouragement.
“My mom has truly been the reason I’ve come so far in life. She had me when she was just 16, so it feels like we’ve grown up together. Despite everything, she has always had unwavering confidence in me,” Perez said. “No matter what challenge I face—whether it’s personal, career-related, or deciding my next steps—she’s always the first person I turn to. Her guidance and support have shaped me into the person I am today, and I know I wouldn’t be here without her. To me, she’s the smartest person I know, and I can only hope to be as wise and strong as she is one day.”
By looking back at those who have supported, guided and inspired her, she is gleaning skills of resourcefulness and versatility, becoming adaptable and cultivating leadership and mentorship qualities that will define her career. This is something she noted that drew her to Prairie View A&M University – sparking her interest in attending.
“It felt like the right place to grow into the person I want to become,” she remembers.
That spark deepened into a flame of appreciation for the University’s diversity and generosity in sharing experiences and helping others by paying it forward when you can and providing support in opening doors to transformative opportunities and experiences.
“PVAMU’s history of producing leaders, innovators, and change-makers inspired me to want to be part of that tradition.
“The sense of community here is unlike anything I’ve experienced elsewhere, and it’s especially meaningful to me that so many students on campus are first-generation college students,” Perez said. “I remember how lost I felt as a freshman. I didn’t know what a CPA was, I didn’t understand the importance of networking, and I didn’t even own dress pants. I quickly realized there were so many things I was just expected to know before coming to college—but I didn’t. What made PVAMU so special was that I wasn’t alone in feeling that way. In my first classes, other students would ask the questions I was too afraid to ask, and rather than being judged or dismissed, we were met with patience and understanding.”
This extends not just to the student body but also to faculty and staff, who create a supportive environment that prioritizes learning and growth over judgment.
“The professors here truly stand out. They don’t just teach—they guide,” Perez said. “That kind of support and willingness to meet students where they are is rare, and it’s a big part of why PVAMU feels like home.”
As she contemplates her next steps—whether in the energy sector, continuing her education, or fostering mentorship—Perez remains grounded in the legacy that has shaped her. Among her most rewarding achievements is earning a full ride offer to any University of California school for graduate studies.
“With all of the opportunities that have come my way, I often find myself doubting whether I can truly be successful,” Perez said. “However, as I gain more experience in corporate America, I’ve come to realize something important: people are moved up all the time, even when they’re not fully qualified. So, I ask myself—why not me? This question has become my mantra, a way to silence self-doubt and remind myself of my worth and potential. Every time I feel unsure or hesitate to pursue a new opportunity, I tell myself, ‘Why not me?’”
For Perez, this mindset is a call to action—not just for herself but for those who will follow.
“This is what being a first-generation college student means to me: carrying the weight of those who came before me while paving the way for those who will come after,” she said.
By Meredith Mohr
Click here to view a complete listing of this semester’s notable graduates.
-PVAMU-