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The people I met and the connections I made at Wilbur Wright College helped contribute to my success as a first-generation student.
The people I met and the connections I made at Wilbur Wright College helped contribute to my success as a first-generation student. They are also the reason why I want to continue my education.
After graduating high school, my main concern with pursuing higher education was how I would be able to afford it. As a first-generation student, navigating college applications and financial aid was complicated and foreign to me. But thanks to City Colleges and Chicago Public Schools, my academic achievements in high school granted me the Star Scholarship. The Star Scholarship took away those worries by covering my tuition and my books at Wright.
Throughout my Wright College journey, the faculty and staff were so supportive and attentive to all of us students. People like Veterans Services Specialist Bryan Soske, Advising and Transfer Advisor Alejandro Herrera, Career Planning and Placement Director Joe Reaves, and Professors David Franco and Victor Guerrieri helped me navigate student life.
I am now continuing my education at Elmhurst University after transferring from Wright. I’m pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. My goal is to attend law school and become an attorney. My passion for the law and immigration comes from my background as the oldest daughter of two undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States for better opportunities. Right now, I’m working as an immigration paralegal at an immigration law firm. Soon, I’ll be participating in the U.S. Army JAG Corps summer internship for civilian attorneys. While I’m not a veteran myself, I have relationships with veterans who help give me a new perspective.
I advise City Colleges students to never be afraid to explore beyond their comfort zone. A U.S. Air Force veteran once told me you never know your true potential and capabilities until you jump into what you fear. Being at Wright and meeting new people encouraged me to continue my education. Thanks to my time at Wright, I have opportunities far greater than I could have imagined. As I continue my higher education journey, I won’t forget the path that community college paved for me and the opportunities it provided to me.
-Alejandra Ramirez Lopez, Associate of Arts, Class of 2024
At 15, I never imagined I’d one day work in the automotive industry. Back in middle school, I told everyone on career day that I wanted to design cars, which sparked my interest in engineering—but the cost of college made that dream feel out of reach.
When Kenneth Balcarcel moved to the United States from Guatemala, he faced the daunting challenge of learning a new language while navigating life in a new country.
For more than 25 years, Jocelyn Sanders built a successful career as a salon owner and licensed cosmetologist. But deep down, there were still goals she wanted to complete, like going back to school.
After my time in the military, I decided to enroll at Wilbur Wright College. I saw it as an opportunity for a fresh start. I was determined to take full advantage of every resource available to me. I learned how to study and take notes, I met with my advisors, I networked with my peers, and I was enjoying all my classes. One day, one of my professors took notice of my hard work and dedication and asked me a simple question that changed the entire trajectory of my life: “How are you paying for college?”
