The St. Edward's Connection
Sonia Hurtado, '04
Law enforcement, here I come.
Sonia Hurtado, '04, always knew she wanted to work in law enforcement. But she worried that her race, gender and stature might hinder her - until 1997 when she attended her routine 11th-grade accounting class at Nikki Rowe High School in McAllen .
That day, Mary Trevino, '86, spoke to the class about her job as a special agent for the IRS's Criminal Investigation department. She discussed a narcotics case, complete with pictures of contraband and automobiles confiscated during a sting operation - and she looked like Hurtado. Trevino's presentation and appearance cemented Hurtado's desire to work in law enforcement.
Introducing Agent Hurtado .
Hurtado talked with Trevino about the education requirements of becoming a special agent. Trevino advised Hurtado to major in Accounting rather than Criminal Justice. An Accounting major herself, Trevino explained that the business degree would distinguish Hurtado from other candidates. And the IRS's training for new agents would cover all the criminal justice she needed.
Hurtado enrolled as an Accounting major at St. Edward's in Fall 1999. She also recontacted Trevino, who told her about an internship opportunity with the Criminal Investigation department. Hurtado applied, and in September 2003, she was sworn in as a special agent student trainee. Last May, she began six months of training. When she finished, she started investigating tax fraud cases as a special agent.
Partners in crime
"I felt particularly proud as an alumna to be able to provide guidance to Sonia. The biggest reward has been seeing her stay focused on her goals," said Trevino. "It has been my privilege to help her, but all of the credit goes to Sonia. She is the one working hard and earning the respect of her peers and supervisors."
urtado, in turn, is grateful to have met Trevino. "Having Mary in my life has been a blessing. Becoming an IRS-CI special agent would have never been a part of my career goals if I hadn't met her," said Hurtado. "Mary has inspired me to dream - and to realize those dreams."
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