How UCF Shaped Marisol Freytes’ ’22 ’25MS Journey
Marisol Freytes ’22 ’25MS has spent her life bridging worlds. Born to deaf parents, she learned American Sign Language before English, serving as a translator for her family from a young age. What began as a necessity soon shaped her identity and inspired her career path.
Growing up, Freytes and her sister often attended meetings that were typically adults-only, translating conversations about finances, insurance and healthcare. “A lot of people just don’t know,” she said. “Deaf does not equal dumb. My parents are hardworking and capable, but people would only speak to me or my sister, ignoring them entirely.” These early experiences instilled in her a sense of responsibility and advocacy, while also exposing the inequities faced by the deaf community.
Freytes’ parents encouraged independence and ambition yet did not provide direct academic support. She described her upbringing as one where she and her sister “had that drive within us” to excel on their own. That independence, combined with exposure to her parents’ expressive communication, helped her thrive academically. She earned her International Baccalaureate diploma and pursued higher education with tenacity, ultimately transferring from Florida State University to University of Central Florida.
A Change in Trajectory
A seizure in 2019 forced Freytes to withdraw from FSU and delayed the start of her college career. She recalls the challenges of recovery: word-finding difficulties, brain fog, and adjusting to a new “normal.” Despite this, she began her studies at UCF in 2020, initially in business before switching to the College of Health Professions and Sciences’ speech-language pathology program. Her experiences with neurological recovery informed her perspective as a future clinician.
Financial independence was another challenge. Though she received Bright Futures, Freytes still relied on scholarships and loans to cover tuition and living expenses. “Any financial support I could get was vital,” she said. “It meant I could finally be a student, focus on academics, and not have to juggle multiple jobs on top of school.” UCF’s internal and external scholarship programs – including the Dr. David B. Ingram Memorial Scholarship, the Invincible Knights Scholarship, and the Learning Institute for Elders at UCF Scholarship – allowed her to immerse fully in her studies, paving the way for her success in both undergraduate and graduate programs.
During her master’s program, Freytes thrived in clinical rotations, working with diverse populations including adolescents in juvenile detention and adult clients in neuro-rehabilitation settings. She credits these experiences with solidifying her commitment to the field. “Connecting with clients, seeing the real-time impact of therapy, and building mutual respect confirmed that this is where I’m meant to be,” she said.
Building a Bold Future
Now in Plantation, Florida, Freytes is preparing to begin her clinical fellowship at a pediatric extended care facility, working with children who have neurological disorders, alongside outpatient therapy. She hopes to continue eventually working in adult neuro-rehabilitation, a field that resonates deeply with her personal journey.
Beyond her clinical aspirations, Freytes is committed to raising awareness about the deaf community and challenging misconceptions. She has spoken publicly about her experiences as a child of deaf adults (CODA) and the importance of advocating for equitable treatment and representation.
“No obstacle is too big,” she said. “Life has been an accumulation of challenges, but each has taught me resilience and purpose. My experiences have shown me the impact one can have on others, and I hope to inspire others to find their own path, regardless of the hurdles.”
Through determination, advocacy, and the support of UCF, Freytes has turned her early responsibilities into a foundation for a meaningful career, one that bridges communication, culture and care.
Paying it Forward
Stories like Freytes’ remind us that the ripple effects of opportunity extend far beyond a single scholarship or program — they shape entire futures. As UCF builds momentum for Go For Launch, even more students will gain the support and confidence to pursue bold paths of their own. These investments don’t just remove barriers; they empower Knights to transform their lived experiences into leadership, service and meaningful impact for the communities they’ll one day serve.
