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When Silvia Garcia arrived in Chicago from Mexico in 1998, she wanted to learn English.
When Silvia Garcia arrived in Chicago from Mexico in 1998, she wanted to learn English. After receiving a flyer Daley College sent out, she decided Daley would be the place to learn a new language.
Silvia completed both English as a Second Language (ESL) and high school diploma preparation classes before transitioning into college credit courses. She received a lot of support to make her educational dreams a reality. Silvia credits the encouraging and helpful professors, the resources available at the library, the Wellness Center for teaching her how to manage stress, and the Gateway Scholarship for helping pay for her education.
With a tenacious spirit and support on her side, Silvia plans to complete her associate degree in 2025 and wants to begin working with children in a daycare.
“I have three children who were teenagers when I started ESL classes,” Silvia said. “Now, they are adults. I believe they see my example and that motivates them to move forward with their lives and do the best they can.”
I attended Lane Tech High School where I received generalized support from peers and counselors. However, this did not eliminate the inherent anxieties that stemmed from being a first-generation and low-income Latina navigating higher education for the first time.
Through the Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship, Charlene Macklin enhanced her skillset in the early learning space at no cost.
Samantha Luce, the District Director of Violence Prevention and Response at City Colleges of Chicago, has dedicated the last three and a half years to helping students navigate challenging experiences while advancing her own education and career.
Mary Ann Kistler was at a crossroads. She had been working a job in insurance for years, but it wasn’t fulfilling anymore. She knew she wanted a career change, but wasn’t sure what that career would be.
