Jade Ocampo
Growing up in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood, Jade Ocampo never imagined that her post-high school journey would take her into the world of quantum research, professional engineering societies, and national internships.
Karen Sinchi-Sarmiento and her family moved to the U.S. from Ecuador when she was three-years-old.
She attended Lakeview High School before enrolling in a four-year college. It only took one semester for Karen to realize the college she selected wasn’t a good fit. That’s when she discovered Malcolm X College.
Immediately she felt a sense of community, she loved that it was a small college, she received one-on-one attention, and encouragement from her advisor and mentor.
The affordability was also a big selling point for Karen. She received the STAR scholarship which helped her pay for her tuition and scrubs for the Dental Hygiene program.
After completing the Dental Hygiene program, Karen wants to begin working before obtaining her bachelor’s degree.
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