Juan Acosta

I’m incredibly honored and humbled to announce that I’m being inducted into the San Francisco State University Alumni Hall of Fame. @sanfranciscostate @sfsualumni

At just 29, I’ve been blessed with opportunities I once could only dream about—from contributing to a New York Times bestseller with @ladygaga , to speaking at the White House and across the nation, to drafting a historic LGBTQ+ proclamation.

When I look back, I don’t just see the accomplishments. I see the sacrifices, the closed doors, the people who believed in me, and every moment I had to believe in myself. I was born in Pacana, Jalisco Mexico and came to this country at age 2

As a first-generation college student, this moment means even more. My parents instilled in me a deep love for community, hard work, and perseverance. Everything I do carries a piece of what they gave me.

And today, I want to thank myself, too—for getting back up after every fall, for continuing when the path wasn’t clear, and for believing that where I came from would never limit where I could go.
I’ve gone further than I ever dreamed I would—and I still feel like I’m just getting started.

To my family, mentors, friends, colleagues, and everyone who has been part of this journey: thank you. This honor carries all of you with it.
Forever proud to be a Gator. I’m excited for all that’s to come. 💜🐊