Idaly Pacheco knows that she comes off as shy. Appearances can be deceiving.
“People think I’m quiet,” she says with a smirk, “but my close friends say I talk too much.”
Four years ago, Pacheco entered Gallaudet as a quiet freshman who could barely maintain eye contact with her classmates. Today, she’s a strong, confident senior on the cusp of graduating with her degree in Social Work.
Her time at Gallaudet has been defined by courage in the face of anxiety. With the support of her family and friends, Pacheco has persevered. And with the guidance of Gallaudet’s Center for Latine Deaf Studies, she has finally found her identity.
Growing up in the valley
The Santa Clarita Valley in Southern California is only 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles, but it might as well be a different world. In the valley, rows of stucco houses can stretch for miles. The view in every direction is backdropped by low, sprawling mountains.
Pacheco and her younger sister grew up in the valley watching their parents work hard to provide for the family. On Sundays, the family attended mass at a Spanish-speaking church. On Christmas Eve, they celebrated Nochebuena with a bountiful feast. Pacheco was surrounded by traditional Mexican culture, but didn’t have the access she needed to fully soak in the heritage around her.
Pacheco is the only deaf person in her family. After learning she was hard of hearing, her parents decided not to force cochlear implants on her, preferring that she decide for herself later. She was a happy, social young child. She grew up speaking English with her parents and sister, and learned simple Spanish from her grandparents.
When Pacheco reached school age, the local school district placed her in the deaf program of her mainstream school. She learned Signed Exact English (SEE), but the teachers weren’t supportive. She also experienced bullying. By the time she reached high school, she had become quiet and developed anxiety.
“My parents didn’t have the resources to learn how to advocate for me,” says Pacheco. “That sparked my passion to support hearing families with deaf children.”
Choosing Gallaudet
Pacheco planned to attend college in California to stay close to her family. A vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselor encouraged her to consider Gallaudet University She had heard about the “deaf college” on the east coast, but she thought it was too far and unaffordable.
As time went by, Pacheco found herself wondering what a fully accessible college experience would be like. Out of curiosity, she met with a Gallaudet advisor. “They said that Gallaudet would change my life,” Pacheco remembers. “That it would be an amazing place for me to learn and grow.”
She sent off an application without telling her parents. When she was accepted, she prepared for her family to fight for her to stay. Their reaction surprised her.
“I thought my parents would say no, but Dad encouraged me to go,” says Pacheco. “He thought I would grow out of my shell and become less shy. Mom said yes, too. I was shocked. My grandparents were happy for me. When I told my sister and my cousin, they were sad but told me to go.”
Sticking it out
Pacheco flew to D.C. with her mother and sister. When she arrived on campus, it was her first time at a deaf school that centered ASL. “The campus felt so big. Everybody signed so fast. I used SEE and I was afraid they would judge me for that.”
Pacheco’s anxiety during her first days at Gallaudet became so bad that she wanted to go home with her family. Her mother encouraged her to stay. The Gallaudet community convinced her.
“I met so many people saying that Gallaudet feels like home,” Pacheco says. “I decided to stick it out.” When the first semester ended, her family asked her if she wanted to stay. She said yes. There was more to experience.
After Pacheco’s struggles with access as a children, she knew she wanted to work with deaf children and their families. The Social Work program was a natural fit. She added a minor in Family Studies to bolster her education.
During Pacheco’s sophomore year, she was assigned to room with Genesis Delgado, ’25. Neither of them were happy. Delgado, a social butterfly, didn’t mesh with the reserved Pacheco. They decided to give it a try and soon became best friends. Delgado, who is now pursuing her master’s in International Development, has seen Pacheco’s transformation firsthand.
“Idaly has grown so much,” Delgado says. “She’s become more comfortable in her own skin and more open to being around people. I’m really proud of her—she’s started to step out of her comfort zone, and because of that, she’s been getting more opportunities.”
Opportunity knocks at Nuestra Casa
At the start of Pacheco’s senior year, she took a course called “Introduction to Latine Deaf Studies” under Dr. Carla García-Fernández, ’92. For the first time, the indigenous history of Mexico and the United States was accessible. The class helped her connect with her heritage. She wanted more.
García-Fernández is the Director of the Center for Latine Deaf Studies, also known as Nuestra Casa. She invited Pacheco to visit. When Pacheco arrived, the colorful decorations reminded her of home. She chatted with Norma Morán, the Manager of Nuestra Casa, and some of the Student Assistants on site.
Pacheco decided to apply for a Student Assistant position at Nuestra Casa. To her surprise, she was hired. When she was assigned to work at the office’s front desk, the idea of greeting people every day caused her anxiety to spike. She decided to face the challenge head on. Morán and García-Fernández continued to encourage her until the job became a habit and the anxiety faded.
“Within a year of having Idaly as a student in my course, I have witnessed her blossom into a hardworking and confident leader,” García-Fernández says. “I am excited to see what the future holds for her.”
“I see the incredible growth in Idaly’s self-confidence,” says Morán. “She’s always willing to push herself out of her comfort zone. She’s now a role model for other Deaf Latine students at Gallaudet, and will be a wonderful role model for young children as a social worker.”
“Nuestra Casa helped me face my fears and my anxiety,” Pacheco says. “It’s home.”
She’s grateful that she found the program before leaving Gallaudet. “Many Deaf Latine students never get the chance to learn about their identity and background when growing up in a hearing family. Nuestra Casa teaches us to cherish our culture and be proud Deaf Latine people.”
Ready for the world
Pacheco’s journey at Gallaudet has also given her pride in her deaf identity.
“Growing up, I was very negative about my identity,” Pacheco says. “I always identified as hard of hearing. Now I’m proud to be Deaf. Gallaudet feels like home. I have full access to everything.”
Pacheco’s parents and sister will fly to D.C. to see her graduate. “I want my parents to see me finish college,” Pacheco says. “I want to show them that I’m proud of who I am. Many people had low expectations for me in the past, but my parents taught me I can do anything. They never took my dreams away.”
As she gets ready to chase those dreams, Pacheco stands as a testament to perseverance. She hopes that other Deaf Latine students can find their own place in the world.
“Don’t let fear take over who you are or what kind of life you want,” says Pacheco. “Don’t let anxiety control you.”
Gallaudet’s Social Work program prepares students to become professionally licensed social workers. We offer bachelor’s and master’s degree tracks. Visit the program page to learn more.
