Local trailblazing student shares his story as he nears graduation

JACKSON, Tenn. — University of Memphis student Mateo Flores is a story of success in uncharted waters.

Not only is he a first-generation college student for his family, but he’s also a first-generation high school graduate, graduating early at age 16 with a 4.1 GPA.

Flores is currently enrolled in the Loewenberg College of nursing on the Lambuth campus. Flores shares deep gratitude for the support from his professors, friends, family and Lambuth community as a whole.

He also shares the inspiration behind his field of study.

“I have had a few family members fight cancer so I saw the interaction between nurse, doctors, my aunt and us. Just watching that care, that level of compassion, that inspired me to want to be a nurse and share, like, reciprocate that energy to other people,” said Flores.

Flores will graduate this Saturday with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and hopes to take his NCLEX in late June or early July to become a registered nurse.

For more news in the Jackson area, click here.