Nataly Tario

Student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Nataly Tario, 20, is the oldest daughter to her parents who migrated from El Salvador to California before ultimately moving to North Carolina. She is transferring to UNCC majoring in Social Work, quoting her mother as her inspiration and icon for her passion in this field and for her many achievements. At the beginning of her college experience, Nataly had many doubts about continuing her education as she was graduating amid the pandemic and was a first-generation student with no experience or guidance. Finding the TRIO program as she entered Gaston College opened her prospects for furthering her education and excelling as a student, a leader, and building her confidence. With love and support from TRIO, her family, and her support system of friends and peers, Nataly opened up and grew as a leader as she took initiative and joined multiple organizations. She became president of the Gaston College’s LGBTQ+ club “True Colors' ', senator of the Student Government Association, 2022 member of Civic Influencers, and a member of the Latinx Health Advisory Board local to her city. One of her last acts before graduating with her Associates in Science was co-founding a Latinx club on her campus. Now she stands at a checkpoint in her life where she says the sky’s the limit and her potential is out there.