Willie Castrejon is the Family and Financial aid Specialist with the UT Austin 2017 and 2018 GEAR UP grants. Previously, he was a College Preparation Advisor for the Somerset High School Class of 2018 on the Texas GEAR UP State Grant from 2014 to 2018. Willie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Houston. Willie began working with IPSI in 2010 as an Advise TX College Adviser at Milby High School in Houston. In July 2017, he was recognized by the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships as the GEAR UP Professional of the Year. As a first-generation college graduate, Willie is very enthusiastic when it comes to assisting students and their families in their college degree journeys.