HOUSTON -- The highest-ranking Hispanic woman in the U.S. Army combat support field visited students at Pasadena's Jackson Intermediate School, KPRC Local 2, Your Education Station, reported Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Consuelo Kickbusch, a retired Army veteran, founded Educational Achievement Services (EAS) Incorporated, to prepare future leaders.

"This is a situation in America where we need to roll up our sleeves. We shouldn't expect teachers and counselors to do it all," Kickbusch said.

The organization takes her across the country as a motivational speaker where she encourages students to beat the odds.

She was invited to Jackson Intermediate as an extension of GEAR-UP, Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. Her message captured the hearts of eighth-graders during her presentation.

"You've got to work hard. Anybody can get a better job. She inspires you a lot," student Erik Heuire said.

"My dad was a dropout from high school and my mom finished, but didn't go to college. It's really important. I'll be the first one," student Jackeline Gonzalez said.

"She really wants us to get a good education. Telling us her story and telling us it is possible because she did it," Heuire said.

Jackson Intermediate Principal Paula Sword hopes that motivating students through "Gear Up" will help all of them excel.

"So many of our students get off track and they don't see the positive role models as much as they need to," Sword said. "She has succeeded and she has relayed the message to help them know that education is definitely the key to success and graduation."

"My goal is to help students feel that tomorrow does matter for them, for America, and for the world," Kickbusch said.

Kickbusch has captured her personal experiences and lectures in a book "Journey to the Future" that she shares with students all across the country.

In addition to founding EAS, Kickbusch and a group of educators created The Family Leadership Institute (FLI), an education program that provides immigrant/migrant Hispanic families the tools to help their first generation children succeed in school.

More Information:

The Family Leadership Institute