康斯维洛·卡斯蒂略·Kickbusch

US 军队 Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), Motivational Speakers, BS 1976

Retired Lieutenant Colonel 康斯维洛·卡斯蒂略·Kickbusch, a 20-year U.S. 军队 veteran, is a 1976 law enforcement graduate of Hardin-Simmons大学. She earned her commission as a second lieutenant in the United States 军队 through the Hardin-Simmons大学 Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and became the first woman commissioned as an ROTC officer in the state of Texas.

Consuelo was born in 1954 in Laredo, Texas, growing up in a small barrio along the U.S./墨西哥边境. 她的移民父母, though unable to provide material wealth to their 10 children, gave Consuelo the valuable lessons needed to overcome the challenges of 贫困, 歧视, 和文盲. 她拥有丰富的文化、传统、价值观和信仰.

Consuelo, 生活技能和指导的强烈支持者, credits a “social experiment” at HSU for giving her the skills and knowledge to succeed. 1973年，博士. 朱利安桥梁, 然后是社会工作教授, led a program that brought 30 disadvantaged Hispanic youth to HSU as students. Consuelo was among the group of poor, non-English speaking students who were the beneficiaries of Dr. 桥的鼓励，指导和同情. He helped them find the strength and resolve to stay at the University despite the alien environment they first encountered.

When she felt other students didn’t want or understand her, when lessons in an unfamiliar language seemed too difficult, 当改变她生活的希望似乎遥不可及的时候, 康丝薇洛勤奋地坚持着.

以为那是一个社交俱乐部, she joined the University’s ROTC program because they seemed to have a lot of fun. The yelling didn’t bother her; she says it reminded her of her mother at home. 经过四年的艰苦努力, 而且不止是几滴眼泪, the proud new graduate was eligible for a commission in the U.S. 军队. She went on to become the highest-ranking Hispanic woman in the Combat Support Field of the U.S. 军队.

Kickbusch holds an advanced degree in cybernetics from San Jose State University in California. Her military education includes the 军队 Command and General 工作人员 College and Department of Defense Program Management Executive Course.

In 1996, 康斯韦洛从26人中脱颖而出,000名候选人担任指挥所, which would put her on track for the rank of General Officer. 她恭敬地谢绝了这一荣誉, 当了20年的老兵, 并成立了教育成就服务中心, 公司. Her work with EAS actualizes her personal dream and mission of preparing tomorrow’s leaders today.

从军队退役后, Consuelo has chosen a path of teaching—reinforcing her belief that a nation with strong leaders will be globally competitive. She has spoken to many youth and parents, managers, executives, and employees. She has been recognized nationally for her selfless devotion and dedication toward improving the lives of children who are dealing with low self-esteem, 身份危机, 贫困, 帮派参与, 缺乏教育.

Her dedication to the underprivileged youth of America has led her to work with over one million children and their parents and with educators. 康斯韦洛遇到了一些最恶劣的社区, 和她住过的那个很像, as she inspires the youth growing up in the barrios she visits.

称孩子们为“未经雕琢的钻石”,” she encourages them to believe they can make their dreams come true, 拥抱希望, 来掌控自己的生活, to make a real difference in their families and communities, 并遵循一个有纪律的成功路线图. Relating her life experiences offers hope and motivation to the disadvantaged. She also has worked extensively to help meet the needs of the homeless, assisting impoverished communities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

Consuelo has produced a well-received video titled Porque No—Why Not? which provides practical techniques to develop self-esteem and achieve personal growth. Her first book, Journey to the Future, was published in November 2003.

她的军事勋章包括功绩军团勋章, 军队杰出志愿服务奖章, 以及海外服役奖章. She has received numerous civic awards, including Toastmaster’s 公司. 领导 Award, San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame, and Texas Women’s Forum.

她是1993年国家形象公司的. Uniformed Services recipient for significant contributions to the nation in civil and human rights, 种族关系, 平等的机会, 人力资源, 公共服务.

Hispanic Business Magazine recently named Consuelo in their list of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in America. 与美国合作.S. 军队, Hispanic Magazine bestowed the Latina 领导 Excellence Award for her youth service and military accomplishments. Saturn and Glamour magazines honored Consuelo with the 2002 Women at Their Best Award, 授予全国排名前100的女性. 也是在2002年, the National Association of Women Business Owners bestowed their Entrepreneurial Spirit Award recognizing her mentoring spirit.

In 2003, Hardin-Simmons recognized Consuelo’s personal and professional accomplishments with the Distinguished 校友 Award.

While she tirelessly works to provide resources for others, Consuelo is also raising her own children with her husband, 退役中校David Kickbusch. They have five daughters, Kenitha, Alicia, Consuelo, and twins, Dolores and Delilah.

By challenging the untapped potential of children whose only flaw is to have been born into 贫困 and ignorance, Consuelo has risen to the highest ranks of those who serve. It is the high honor of Hardin-Simmons大学 to recognize one of her own and to formally induct 康斯维洛·卡斯蒂略·Kickbusch into the HSU 领袖堂.