Describe your personal, educational, and professional experiences and how they informed your decision to pursue a graduate degree.
I moved out of my parent’s home when I was seventeen years old. I had been sexually abused as a child and acted out during my teenage years. For me to have permission to move out, I had to get married. I was married at seventeen and had my first child at twenty-one. Less than five years later, I had my second child and I could not go back to finish my education because I could not financially afford it. In 2012, I found out I was pregnant with my third child and my world turned upside down. I knew I would never go back to school. But I was very wrong! After being diagnosed with depression, I was prescribed medication. Somehow, I found the motivation to go back to school. I finished what I had started years ago and transferred from Irvine Valley College to Cal State Fullerton.
What challenges did you encounter along your educational trajectory? How did you overcome those challenges?
In undergrad, I had no reliable childcare; we were food insecure and I felt out of place at Cal State Fullerton. With three young children, it was very stressful. Before completing my first semester, I almost dropped out. Eventually, a spot opened on campus at the Children’s Center for my daughter. I was able to get involved in clubs and this changed the trajectory of my career. I joined a student activist org and then ran for a position on the ASI Board of Directors. Some people referred to me as “ghetto” and “feisty Latina” but I did not let it get to me. I let my passion for activism and advocacy prove them wrong and I was then elected to be the ASI Board Vice Chair. This allowed me to work directly on policies and bylaws which sparked my passion for public policy. Because of this, I applied to the MPA program. I applied to CSU Fullerton and CSU Long Beach and got into both. Juggling motherhood, advocacy, activism, and my mental health has been a struggle. But I remind myself that others did it before me and I can too. Then I found the Latina Grad Guide Instagram and found motivational stories that inspired me to keep pushing.
What advice do you have for individuals who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree?
Remember that these places were not built for people like us, but here we are succeeding. There was a time when women, especially women of color were not allowed in these spaces and we have proved to be resilient. Do not let others define what success means for you, only you know what that means. Do not let other people belittle you, do not give them that power. Build a community around you that will help you get through grad school and through tough times in your life. Someday you will be a rock for them as well. You are a success story, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Most importantly, don’t become a gatekeeper. Once you climb that ladder bring your community with you, don’t forget your roots.
What did you enjoy most about your graduate/professional program?
What I have enjoyed most is that I have learned to advocate for myself. Even though we don’t have faculty of color in my program, I feel supported by some of them. I am thankful that I have been able to connect to professors that truly care about my well being and success. I enjoy meeting others that have similar stories to mine and are ahead of me in their program. This motivates me because I know in the beginning, they felt like me. I proved that I can be a graduate student, a mother of three, and still be an activist, advocate, ally, and good friend. Having my children witness my experiences has been my favorite part. They are now ages 14, 9, and 6 and seeing my struggles but also my successes has motivated them to pursue a college education.
