Yes, I Can Scholarship Helps Student-Athlete Complete Bachelor’s Degree, Pursue Healthcare Industry Career

ATLANTA — When Ana Cubillo (B.I.S. ’26) moved across the Atlantic Ocean from a small town in northern Spain to attend Georgia State University four years ago, she was eager to pursue both her academic and athletic dreams. Her journey wasn’t always easy, but kindness from a stranger helped her finish her degree.

Like her two older siblings, Cubillo left her home in Aranda de Duero to pursue higher education. Interested in a career in healthcare or biomedical science, she juggled her studies in the Biomedical Science and Enterprise bachelor’s program in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences with her duties as a student-athlete. Things were going smoothly until her junior year, when she suffered multiple injuries as a member of Georgia State’s cross country and track and field teams that prevented her from practicing and competing for an entire year.

Worried about how she would cover the additional cost of her education, Cubillo considered dropping out of school and going back home. As an international student, the financial responsibilities of attending college in the United States were already significant, and she didn’t want to cause her parents even more stress. One of her closest friends encouraged her to look into scholarships offered by Georgia State, and she came across the Yes, I Can Scholarship, which provides support to students completing degree programs in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences who have demonstrated the capacity to overcome obstacles.

“The name itself caught my attention because it represented exactly what I was trying to remind myself during that difficult time: Yes, I can,” Cubillo said.

Cubillo applied and was awarded the $1,800 Yes, I Can Scholarship for the 2025-26 academic year, along with four other students. Incredibly grateful and surprised, she said the money came just in time to pay her international student health insurance expenses for the semester.

“This gave me peace of mind,” Cubillo said. “Instead of constantly worrying about how I was going to cover another financial expense or whether I would need to take on additional work, I was able to focus my energy on my classes, my training and becoming the best student-athlete I could be.

“The Yes, I Can Scholarship reminded me that I was not alone in my journey. Someone I had never met believed that I was deserving of an opportunity and chose to invest in my education. That support came at a moment when I truly needed it, and it allowed me to continue pursuing the goals that had brought me all the way from Spain to Georgia State.”

Because of this financial support, Cubillo graduated summa cum laude from her bachelor’s program in spring 2026 and accomplished one of her biggest athletic goals when she broke Georgia State’s school record in the mile and finished second at the Sun Belt Conference Championships.

“Choosing Georgia State was an exciting opportunity for me because it allowed me to train and compete alongside a great group of athletes while pursuing a unique academic program,” Cubillo said. “I chose to major in Biomedical Sciences and Enterprise because I was interested in the intersection between science, medicine and the business side of healthcare, an area I did not find offered at many other universities.”

During her undergraduate studies, Cubillo worked as a teaching assistant in a chemistry laboratory, where she strengthened her communication and leadership skills, helped students understand challenging concepts, prepared laboratory activities and watched students gain confidence in the lab.

She was also involved in community service and gave back to the Atlanta community through organizations and programs such as Atlanta Children’s Shelter, local elementary schools, the Atlanta Beltline and Hands On Atlanta. These volunteer experiences allowed her to connect with people from different backgrounds and learn the importance of service, empathy, leadership and using her time and skills to make a positive difference in the community.

To further her career development, Cubillo enrolled in the Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in Biomedical Science and Enterprise program in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences, where she’s now on the program’s professional track. She expects to graduate in fall 2027. Then she’d like to return to Europe to work in medical sales or in the pharmaceutical industry as a production manager. She’d also like to one day earn her MBA and project management professional certification.

Cubillo said Georgia State has challenged her, helped her grow and given her opportunities that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. She will always be grateful to the generous donor to the Yes, I Can Scholarship.

“You gave me more than financial assistance and supported me and my family in hard times,” Cubillo said. “I really hope one day I can give back to other students in the same way you gave to me.

“Through my education, athletics, community service and experiences as a teaching assistant, I have learned that success is not only about what you accomplish for yourself, it is also about the people you help along the way,” Cubillo added. “The Yes, I Can Scholarship has helped me to keep reminding myself: Yes, I can. Nothing and no one will stop me from achieving my goals.”

Georgia State University's Meet the Future STATE campaign is expanding opportunity, advancing discovery and creating a stronger future for our students, Atlanta and the communities we serve. Visit future.gsu.edu to explore the campaign’s priorities, discover the many ways philanthropy can make an impact and learn how you can join us in shaping what comes next.