How Mason Salazar Found His People and His Purpose Through TRIO

Aug. 27, 2026

When Mason Salazar arrived at Dallas College, he expected to gain the skills needed for a career in engineering. What he didn't expect was to discover a stronger sense of self along the way. Through his involvement with TRIO Student Support Services, Mason found more than academic resources. He found a community that helped him build confidence, embrace personal growth, and develop the leadership qualities he hopes to share with others.

His advice to fellow students: “You’re always a student of something. Every stage of life, you're always learning from situations. Let that drive you.”

Read the interview below to learn how Mason is charting a path toward success while leaving a lasting impact on those around him.

What led you to where you are now at Dallas College?

I'll go back to my time before getting into college, graduating high school, because at first I didn't know what I wanted to do. I didn't really have a plan for college. That changed when my brother got an interview with TRIO Student Support Services. The person doing the interview, Jesse Jackson, caught me in the background. She's like, 'You have a brother? Let's get him in, too.' So, the next day after he did his interview, I came to Mountain View Campus, got signed up for classes and did the interview. And just like that, I was in school. That was July 2023. Then came August. Because I was taking a couple of classes, I thought “It's a little easy.” At the time, my mentality was, “Go home.” But TRIO is a place where you meet with students and get to know the college life. The first or second week, I started tutoring people around me.

You’re very involved with TRIO, and it seems like you found a home here. What do you think contributed to that?

What I think contributed to it was really finding myself. TRIO provides all the tools and support necessary to succeed at the college level, all for free! Tutoring, printing, computer help, financial aid, scholarships, school supplies, college tours and so much else. Getting into college made me think that it was all proper and professional. TRIO completely changed that for me. They taught me that college isn't just a place to find what you want to do, but to learn how to express yourself in a world that you couldn't before. TRIO was just a catalyst for the self-confidence I have now. The more that I grew into my college time with them, the more I grew into myself and the person I am today.

What made you decide to go into engineering?

In my high school, we were put into pathways based on our interests. There was engineering, health science, and aerospace. There were a lot of different branches, but I was put into aviation. My friends and I had worked at an airport as well. It was Dallas Executive Airport. I got an internship over there, and it was really cool work, really awesome seeing everything. Then I volunteered at the airport as well because they had these air shows and workshops tailored to kids. They had these veteran events as well. But I got the interest in it from the internship and growing up in that environment in high school.

What do you hope to add to other people's lives?

I just want to make sure people achieve their dreams. And specifically for college, it's like you're in college, be here, be involved, or at the very least put in the effort. That's what I help people to do. Because what I learned along the way is that it's almost like worlds colliding. Everyone is a world, and there's always connections being made. So whenever people come into my life, I just help them the best that I can and then make sure that they're prepared enough to go on when I'm not around. That's the kind of mentality I have.

What legacy do you want to leave behind?

What I'd want to leave behind are the connections. To make other people around me better because it's worked for my workplace. It's like my presence is enough to be in that — it just feels like nurturing or caring. So, just to bring that kind of effect wherever I am and just for it to be there, I think that's the legacy I want.

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