COLLEGE ACCESS & MIGRANT PROGRAM SPEAKER
INSPIRE FIRST-GEN STUDENTS TO BE COLLEGE BOUND!
Youth motivational speaker Patrick Pérez’s Rhythm of Resilience keynote helps first-generation and Latino students see college as their next move. Built for TRIO, Upward Bound, Talent Search, GEAR UP, HEP/CAMP, and Migrant Education Programs, his high-energy, interactive keynotes build resilience, confidence, and belonging for college-bound youth.
Give your students a dose of rhythm and excitement with a strong focus on mindset, choices, goals, and community, plus the belief that they belong on a college campus.
Patrick has spoken at TRIO and GEAR UP events focused on college readiness and the path to college, reaching first-generation Latino students and the educators who support them. He has also keynoted FBLA Nationals, FCCLA Nationals, and the StuCo National Showcase.
Hey, There!
Patrick “Pac Man” Pérez is a nationally recognized youth motivational speaker, college access speaker, keynote presenter, and professional breakdancer who has spent more than 20 years inspiring underrepresented and first-generation students across the United States.
As a breakdancer, Patrick learned early that failure is part of the process. Every missed move, every fall, and every challenge became an opportunity to adapt, grow, and try again. Those lessons now form the foundation of his Rhythm of Resilience keynote on resilience and leadership.
Patrick has delivered keynotes for college access programs, youth leadership conferences, and national events, helping thousands of students build confidence, prepare for college, and believe in their ability to create meaningful impact in their families and communities.
Patrick’s mission is simple: to help young people realize that their story matters, their choices matter, and their actions matter.
A different kind of speaker.
Patrick Pérez isn’t just a youth motivational speaker. He has spent decades working directly with students in classrooms, mentorship programs, and community initiatives.
As a Career & Technical Education (CTE) Entrepreneurship teacher at Del Valle High School, Patrick worked with predominantly Black and Brown students from low-income communities, helping them develop leadership skills, entrepreneurial thinking, and confidence in their future.
Beyond the classroom, Patrick has dedicated his career to mentoring young people through the arts and community leadership. As a mentor with the City of Austin’s ETA (Emerging Teaching Artists) program, he has guided artists from marginalized Black, Brown, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities as they navigate education, identity, and leadership in a rapidly changing world.
Patrick is also the founder of Baila and Beats, a community initiative that uses dance, music, and creative expression to build resilience.
“If you need someone to motivate young adults about pursuing an education and to get motivated to do it, then Patrick is the person to call!”
-P. Lopez | Director, Upward Bound | UTPA Gen TX Conference
Resilience in motion
From TRIO and Upward Bound summer programs and GEAR UP college readiness events to migrant education conferences, National TRIO Day, and Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, Patrick works alongside you to create an interactive, high-energy experience that gets students moving and lands with IMPACT!
COLLEGE ACCESS SPEAKER FAQS
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The Rhythm of Resilience keynote helps first-generation and college-bound students build resilience, confidence, and belonging through four pillars: mindset, choices, goals, and community. Patrick blends storytelling, crowd interaction, and breakdancing to keep students moving and engaged from start to finish.
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TRIO programs including Upward Bound, Talent Search, Educational Opportunity Centers, and Student Support Services, plus GEAR UP, HEP/CAMP, Migrant Education Programs (MEP), summer bridge programs, college readiness conferences, National TRIO Day, and Hispanic Heritage Month events. Patrick has spoken at TRIO and GEAR UP events serving first-generation Latino students.
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Yes. Along with high-energy keynotes, Patrick leads interactive workshops for TRIO, Upward Bound, GEAR UP, and migrant program students, summer programs, and college readiness conferences. Share your event details in the form below and he will recommend the best format.
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Patrick Pérez (also spelled Patrick Perez) has spent more than 20 years inspiring students and has spoken at TRIO and GEAR UP events focused on preparing first-generation Latino students for college. He taught Career and Technical Education (CTE) entrepreneurship at Del Valle High School, working with predominantly Black and Brown students from low-income communities, and mentors young artists through the City of Austin’s Emerging Teaching Artists program.
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Fees depend on your event date, location, and program format. Use the form below to check availability and request a quote for your TRIO, Upward Bound, GEAR UP, or migrant education program event.
Let’s connect!
CHECK PATRICK’S AVAILABILITY FOR YOUR TRIO, UPWARD BOUND, GEAR UP, OR MIGRANT PROGRAM EVENT!
“PATRICK’S PRESENTATION, WITH THE USE OF DANCE, WAS FRESH, ENERGETIC AND VERY EFFECTIVE! HE WAS A TRULY INSPIRATIONAL ROLE MODEL FOR THESE STUDENTS.”
Tony Vandel | Hispanic Youth Symposium | ID
MINDSET
Like a breakdancer learning a new move, every fall is a chance to adapt and come back stronger. Patrick helps students reframe setbacks and believe in their ability to grow.
Students learn that setbacks are not the end of the story. They are part of the rhythm of progress.
COMMUNITY
Patrick builds belonging in the room, getting students moving, laughing, and connecting with peers they may never have spoken to before.
Students leave knowing that their story matters and that they are stronger together.
GOALS
Patrick helps students set goals and build a plan to reach them, connecting today’s effort to college applications, campus life, and a future career.
College-bound students walk away ready to be the first in their family to make it, and to bring others with them.
CHOICES
Every move counts. Patrick shows students how their choices matter in school, in friendships, and on the road to college.
Interactive, energizing, and deeply relatable, his message helps first-generation students navigate academic pressure, family expectations, and the transition to college.
“We felt he had the audience captive, especially with his dancing. Young adults need presenters such as Patrick to motivate them and tell them not to give up because we try our best and we are starting to sound as their parents. [Take] a few minutes to view his video and see the interaction he has with young adults. Students have a lot to learn from him.”
-P. LOPEZ | DIRECTOR, UPWARD BOUND | UTPA GEN TX CONFERENCE
5 STAR
RATED
on Gigsalad.com
Awesome speaker and AMAZING to work with!!
Patrick has spoken at many tobacco prevention events for the American Lung Association. Most recently for PA, he was our main speaker for our advocacy day event. At every event/activity, he gets our members energized and motivated. Not only that, but he's so great to work with! He can work with a plan but is also AMAZING at improvising (not to mention a great dancer)! Would recommend him to anyone, 100%.
-Molly P. | American Lung Association
Highly recommended, crowd-pleasing professional speaker!
As a third-party planner, I first hired Patrick in 2013, and I continued to work with him on… events including conferences, advocacy events and team-building retreats. Whether he was in front of an audience of 500 or 12, Patrick delivered an energetic and engaging audience experience.
-Dana P. | Fahlgren Mortine Agency
“We were deeply touched by you and feel that you have reached more than you could have imagined by what you have to offer to these students.”
-Ana Minjarez | Migrant Specialist | ESC 18 | TX
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You made a big impact on our students’ lives!”
-Margie Valenzuela | Migrant OSY Specialist | ESC 18 | TX