Visit Your Local PBS Station PBS Home PBS Home Programs A-Z TV Schedules Watch Video Donate Shop PBS Search PBS

photo of Victoria Aguilera

Victoria Aguilera


Victoria Aguilera came to the United States from Mexico when she was eight years old. In order to get their children across the border, Victoria's parents asked American couples to pretend to be their parents and allow them to ride in the back seats of their cars. When the entire family reached the United States side of the border, they were reunited and began a new life in California. Life was difficult for several years as the family adjusted. Victoria started school without knowing a word of English, and since she could not understand her teachers, they assumed that she was slow and placed her in remedial classes. However, Victoria soon learned to speak English and proved that she was a very bright student with a talent for mathematics.

In high school, Victoria became involved in Mathematics-Engineering-Science Achievement (MESA) and Upward Bound, two programs designed to help young people who are interested in mathematics and science. Through these programs, Victoria met a mechanical engineer who inspired her to pursue a career in engineering. After graduation, she went on to Loyola Marymount College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.

After college, Victoria started working for Walt Disney Imagineering, the company that creates the rides and attractions at Walt Disney theme parks. Almost ten years later, she still works for the company. As a mechanical engineer, Victoria has worked on teams that design rides like Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris, the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland in California, and the GM Test Track at EPCOT Center in Florida. Although there are thousands of people behind the scenes at Disney theme parks, Victoria is one of a small number of women engineers working there. Outside the lab, Victoria remains close to her parents and her five siblings, and is an avid runner.



Resource Center
About the Series || Directories
Resources || Educational Materials

Activity Center || Utilities || Main Menu


Copyright © 1996 Blackside, Inc. All rights reserved.