05/01/2026
Congrats to Spanish minor Abi López-Quiñones on all of her accomplishments!
🎓🥳🎓🥳
We are proud to announce our second to last Wall of Fame honoree — a resilient and compassionate first-generation leader whose dedication to occupational therapy, mentorship, and campus leadership has left a lasting mark on our campus community.
--------------------------
Abigail Lopez-Quiñones, Class of 2026
First Generation College Student
Degree: B.S. in Exercise Science
Concentration: Allied Health
Minor: Spanish
Heritage: Mexico; Guatemala
Hometown: Asheville, North Carolina
Hobbies: Thrifting, running, reading, shelling, watching sunsets, and spending time with family and friends.
Organizations Involved: Precollege Mentoring Program, Exercise Science Student Association, Pre-Occupational Therapy Club, and Research Assistant in the Exercise Science Department
Where do you work?
Afterschool Counselor at YMCA; Event Manager at Centro Hispano
Top 3 Accomplishments:
1. One of my greatest accomplishments has been getting accepted into all of the Occupational Therapy programs, including two Doctorate of Occupational Therapy programs, and receiving a $25,000 graduate scholarship. This achievement is especially meaningful, because it represents overcoming self-doubt and realizing I was capable of more than I once believed. It reflects years of academic persistence and personal growth.
2. Balancing academics, part-time jobs, campus involvement, and family responsibilities was one of the most demanding aspects of my college experience. Managing these responsibilities strengthened my discipline, adaptability, and perseverance. Through this experience, I learned to trust myself and gained confidence in my ability to overcome challenges, which is something I am very proud of.
3. Serving as an Event Manager at Centro Hispano for four years has been one of the most impactful experiences of my college career. By stepping outside my comfort zone while planning and executing events, I strengthened my leadership, adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. This experience led to receiving Student Employee of the Year (2023–2024) along with two Cornerstone Awards, the Distinguished Engagement Award and the Excellence in Engagement Award.
Plans after Graduation:
After graduation, I plan to spend time with family and friends, take opportunities to travel, and prepare to begin occupational therapy program in the fall.
Dream Job:
My dream job is to become a neuro occupational therapist working with individuals who have experienced traumatic brain injuries, while advocating for the profession and traveling internationally to raise awareness about the need for occupational therapy and expand access to care for underserved populations, especially Spanish-speaking communities.
Any advice to the generation rising at UNCW?
Get involved, ask questions, and try new things, even if they feel uncomfortable at first. Say “yes” to opportunities, step outside your comfort zone, and don’t be afraid to learn from your mistakes. The experiences that challenge you the most often end up shaping you in the best ways.
Motivational Quote:
“Cree en ti y todo será posible.”
