Jacqueline Urquizo
For Jacqueline Urquizo, Daley College feels like home. She took Early College classes at Daley in high school, earned her associate in arts from the college, and now, she’s back as an employee.
Two years ago, Tatiana, her husband, and their daughter left their home in Brazil and came to Chicago, where they started working at a local restaurant. One day, Tatiana made a life-changing decision – she enrolled in ESL classes at Malcolm X College. She soon realized that earning her high school diploma would open doors for her future. In just months, Tatiana earned her GED and started the Basic Nursing Assistant (BNA) program, followed by the Patient Care Technician program.
Tatiana has found tremendous support at Malcolm X College, including the financial assistance she received through the Monarch Scholarship. She shares, “working in a restaurant doesn’t offer the highest pay, so the scholarship helps a lot, especially with so many bills to cover.”
With the Monarch Scholarship easing her financial burden, Tatiana is now focused on pursuing her associate degree in nursing. She plans to further her education at the University of Illinois Chicago to earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing, moving closer to her goal of a successful career in healthcare.