When Haley Alana Barrios Gomez was a child, she loved to build things. “I still love tinkering and taking things apart,” she says with a smile. That natural curiosity, paired with her experience living with congenital limb loss, eventually inspired her to design her own prosthetic arm—and to pursue a future in mechanical engineering with a focus on biomechatronics.
Haley, a mechanical engineering major at Irvine Valley College (IVC), has always been drawn to innovation that makes a real-world impact. She grew up using a body-powered prosthesis but realized that it wasn’t the best fit for her body, especially with her scoliosis. At just 16, she began researching myoelectric prosthetics, which use electrical signals from the body to control movement. Her determination led her to collaborate with engineers at Hanger Clinic, immersing herself in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) design and engineering principles to create a custom prosthetic device she still uses today. “It was an intense but incredibly rewarding process,” she reflects.
That same drive led Haley to join IVC’s Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program, which supports first-generation, low-income students in calculus-based STEM fields.
“As a first-generation college student, I couldn’t afford to attend a four-year university right away,” she explains. “IVC was the ideal option. They have a great STEM program with incredible engineering professors and strong partnerships with UCs and CSUs.”
Throughout her time at IVC, Haley has stood out not just for her academic achievements, but also for her leadership and advocacy. She currently serves as a tutor at the MESA Center, helping her peers succeed in rigorous STEM coursework. She also spoke at the grand opening of the IVC MESA Center and was featured in both the Orange County Business Journal and the IVC newsletter. Most notably, Haley was the keynote speaker at IVC’s Pancakes and Partners Breakfast in December 2024, helping to launch the college’s 40th anniversary celebration with her powerful story of perseverance and purpose.
A graduate of Trabuco Hills High School, Haley is now preparing to transfer to a four-year university. She applied to Cal State Fullerton, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, and MIT. Her long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. and become a mechanical engineer specializing in CAD design, with a focus on creating affordable, accessible prosthetics—particularly for children.
“My dream is to help kids just like me by designing devices that empower them,” she says.
For future students, Haley offers this advice: “Find what works for you. Develop your rhythm and your work ethic. Don’t be afraid to fail—be confident, be open to learning from your mistakes, and never stop wanting to learn.”
With her creativity, resilience, and heart for helping others, Haley Barrios is already transforming lives—and she’s just getting started.