I am a graduate student, educator, and caregiver whose life has been profoundly shaped by caring for family members with disabilities and chronic illness. Balancing education, work, and caregiving has required resilience, adaptability, and empathy, but it has also given my life clarity and purpose. Being a caregiver is not something I separate from who I am as a student, it is central to how I learn, lead, and serve others. I am the mother of a child with autism and epilepsy, a role that has taught me patience, advocacy, and unwavering commitment. Parenting a child with disabilities requires constant coordination, emotional awareness, and the ability to navigate medical, educational, and support systems that are often complex and overwhelming. I have learned how to advocate fiercely, remain calm in moments of uncertainty, and celebrate progress that others may overlook. These experiences have strengthened my ability to problem solve, prioritize, and persevere under pressure. In addition to caring for my child, I am also a caregiver to my mother, who is living with end-stage primary biliary cirrhosis. Supporting her through illness has required emotional strength and flexibility, as well as the ability to balance caregiving responsibilities with my academic and professional commitments. There are moments when exhaustion and worry feel heavy, but caregiving has taught me how to move forward even when circumstances are difficult and unpredictable. These responsibilities have shaped my educational journey in profound ways. As a non-traditional graduate student pursuing a PhD in education, I approach my studies with intention and discipline. Time is precious, and every decision I make reflects a careful balance between being present for my family and investing in my future. Caregiving has sharpened my focus and reinforced my belief in the importance of education as a pathway to stability, advocacy, and meaningful impact. Caregiving has also shaped my values as an educator and higher education professional. It has deepened my empathy for students who are balancing responsibilities that are often invisible in academic spaces. I understand what it means to show up to class or work while carrying emotional and logistical burdens, and I bring that understanding into every space I occupy. My lived experience informs my commitment to creating more compassionate, flexible, and inclusive educational environments. Ultimately, caring for my family has taught me that resilience is not about doing everything alone, but about showing up consistently with care and intention. It has shaped me into someone who leads with empathy, advocates with purpose, and remains committed to growth even in the face of challenge. This scholarship would support my continued education while honoring the caregiving work that has defined my journey. It would allow me to continue pursuing my academic goals while remaining present for the family members who depend on me.

What I want to build is not a single product or program, but a more humane and equitable approach to higher education, one that recognizes students as whole people and not just academic outputs. As a doctoral student in education with a focus on Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs, I am intentionally building a future rooted in access, compassion, and institutional change. My desire to build this future comes from lived experience. As a first-generation immigrant student, I navigated higher education without a roadmap, learning how to succeed through trial, error, and persistence. I experienced firsthand how confusing, isolating, and unforgiving academic systems can be for students who are working, caregiving, multilingual, or navigating mental health challenges. These experiences did not discourage me; they clarified what needed to be built differently. Through my education, I am building the knowledge and leadership skills necessary to influence policy, programs, and campus cultures. I want to help create institutions where student support is proactive rather than reactive, where mental health and basic needs are prioritized, and where first-generation and marginalized students are not expected to figure everything out on their own. My goal is to contribute to systems that improve access, retention, and long-term success, particularly at colleges and universities that serve diverse communities. On a personal level, I am also building stability and purpose for my family. As a working adult learner and caregiver, my education represents more than professional advancement, it is a commitment to modeling resilience, lifelong learning, and service. Completing my doctoral degree allows me to create greater financial security while pursuing work that aligns with my values and lived experiences. For my community, what I hope to build is trust in higher education as a place of opportunity rather than exclusion. In my current roles as an educator and higher education professional, I already work toward this vision by mentoring students, advocating for equitable practices, and approaching leadership through empathy and accountability. With advanced education, I will be better positioned to scale that impact and influence change at an institutional level. Ultimately, I am building a future where education serves as a bridge rather than a barrier. By investing in my education now, I am equipping myself to help others navigate higher education with dignity, confidence, and support. The impact of what I build will extend beyond my own success, it will live in the students and communities I am committed to serving.

“The Truth Booth Relay” is designed to test communication, emotional intelligence, and honesty—three things every Love Island couple claim to have. This challenge combines physical elements, emotional risk, and public accountability to create drama, bonding, and unforgettable moments. Setup The villa is divided into two zones: 1. The Relay Course – a playful obstacle course with classic Love Island flair (slime pits, inflatable hurdles, balance beams). 2. The Truth Booth – a private confessional-style booth where Islanders must answer relationship-focused questions. Each couple competes as a team. Rules & Gameplay One partner starts the challenge by running the relay course to retrieve a sealed envelope containing a question. Once they reach the Truth Booth, the other partner must answer the question honestly on camera. Questions range in intensity, such as: • “Who in the villa are you most attracted to besides your partner?” • “Do you see a future with your current partner outside the villa?” • “What is one doubt you haven’t shared yet?” After answering, the booth releases either: • A Green Light (answer deemed honest and complete), allowing the answering partner to start the relay back • Or a Red Light, meaning the partner must return and answer a follow-up question that digs deeper If Islanders refuse to answer or give vague responses, their team receives a time penalty. Winning & Stakes, The couple with the fastest completion time wins: • A luxury date and • The power to send one other couple into the Truth Booth later that evening for a bonus question during the fire pit

I am a bilingual, first-generation immigrant student whose academic and professional journey has been shaped by navigating education in a language that was not my own. My first language is Spanish. English became part of my life through school, work, and daily responsibility, often long before I felt fully confident using it. Learning to operate academically and professionally in English required persistence, adaptability, and resilience, skills that continue to define my approach to education and leadership. Growing up in an immigrant household, bilingualism was not simply an asset; it was a necessity. I frequently acted as a translator for my family in medical, educational, and institutional settings. While this responsibility was challenging, it taught me accountability, advocacy, and how to navigate complex systems at a young age. Balancing two languages while trying to succeed in school often meant working twice as hard, translating assignments mentally, learning academic vocabulary later than my peers, and overcoming the fear of being misunderstood or judged for my accent. Despite these challenges, being bilingual has been one of my greatest strengths. Spanish connects me to my culture, my family, and my identity, while English allows me to navigate higher education and professional spaces. Moving between languages has strengthened my communication skills, cultural awareness, and empathy. It has taught me that language is not just about words, but about how people understand the world, express emotion, and build trust. Today, I am a graduate student pursuing a PhD in education, focusing on Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs. I also work in higher education and teach as an adjunct faculty member. My experiences as a bilingual student deeply inform my academic interests and career goals. I see firsthand how language barriers continue to impact students’ confidence, sense of belonging, and access to resources. I am particularly passionate about supporting multilingual and first-generation students who may struggle to advocate for themselves in institutions that often prioritize English-only norms. After graduation, I plan to continue working in higher education leadership, where I can help shape policies and programs that recognize linguistic diversity as an asset rather than a deficit. I hope to contribute to initiatives that improve access, student support, and equity for multilingual learners. My goal is to create environments where students feel empowered to bring their full identities, including their languages, into academic spaces. Being bilingual has required effort, courage, and adaptability, but it has also provided me with unique skills that enrich my education and professional life. It has taught me how to listen deeply, communicate across differences, and advocate with intention. As I continue my academic journey, I carry bilingualism not as a barrier I overcame, but as a strength that continues to guide my ambition, drive, and commitment to serving others.

My journey through mental health challenges and substance use has been marked by struggle, accountability, and ultimately transformation. For many years, I coped with unresolved childhood trauma, depression, and anxiety in unhealthy ways, turning to drugs and alcohol as a means of escape rather than healing. At the time, I did not yet have the tools or language to understand what I was experiencing, only the weight of pain that felt difficult to carry alone. Substance use became a symptom of deeper wounds rather than the root problem itself. Recognizing this truth was one of the most important turning points in my life. With support, counseling, and structured recovery programs, I began the difficult work of understanding my trauma and addressing my mental health directly. Recovery was not immediate or linear, it required sustained effort, humility, and an honest reckoning with my choices, but it was life changing. Becoming a mother profoundly reshaped my sense of responsibility and purpose. My children became my motivation to heal, grow, and choose a different path. Their presence helped me refocus my life and commit fully to recovery, not only for them, but for myself. I wanted to model resilience, self-awareness, and perseverance, and that meant doing the hard internal work required to leave addiction behind. My recovery has been supported through participation in addiction treatment programs, ongoing counseling, and mental health care. Therapy helped me understand the connection between trauma, anxiety, depression, and substance use, while also giving me practical tools for emotional regulation, self-compassion, and accountability. Through this process, I learned that recovery is not simply about abstinence, but about building a sustainable, meaningful life rooted in intention and care. As my mental health stabilized, my academic and professional growth accelerated. I returned to higher education with renewed clarity and purpose and am currently pursuing a PhD in education. My academic journey reflects not only intellectual ambition, but personal growth, the ability to persist, balance responsibilities, and lead with empathy. I now work in higher education and teach as an adjunct instructor, where I encounter students navigating their own mental health challenges. My lived experience allows me to approach these spaces with compassion, patience, and understanding. My educational goals are closely tied to my personal journey. I aspire to serve in higher education leadership, focusing on student support, access, and equity. I am particularly committed to advocating for students whose academic performance is impacted by trauma, mental health struggles, or substance use. I believe institutions must move beyond punitive or dismissive responses and instead create environments rooted in support, dignity, and care. Maintaining my recovery remains a priority. I continue to engage in counseling, practice self-awareness, and rely on healthy coping strategies such as routine, reflection, and community support. I am intentional about maintaining balance, recognizing early warning signs, and asking for help when needed. Recovery is an ongoing commitment, and I approach it with the same discipline and honesty that I bring to my academic and professional life. My past does not define me, but it has shaped my resilience. The challenges I faced taught me accountability, empathy, and strength, qualities that continue to guide my education and future goals. In honoring the spirit of perseverance this scholarship represents, I carry forward a commitment to growth, recovery, and service. My journey is proof that healing is possible and that education can be a powerful force in rebuilding one’s life

My experience as an immigrant has shaped every part of who I am as a student, educator, and leader. I came to the United States as a Mexican immigrant, carrying with me not only the challenge of adapting to a new country, but also the hopes and sacrifices of my parents. My mother received only a third-grade education in Mexico, and my father completed middle school. Despite their limited formal schooling, they held an unwavering belief in the power of education and were determined that I would have opportunities they never had. As a first-generation student, I entered higher education without guidance or institutional knowledge. My parents could not help me navigate applications, financial aid, or academic expectations, but they supported me in the most meaningful way they could, by encouraging perseverance, discipline, and faith in my potential. Watching them work tirelessly while prioritizing my education instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to honor their sacrifices through persistence and achievement. Higher education was not a straightforward path for me. Like many immigrant students, I balanced school with work, family responsibilities, and financial constraints. I often found myself navigating academic spaces where I felt invisible or underprepared, yet I continued forward. Each degree earned and each return to school later in life required courage, especially in systems that were not designed with immigrant and first-generation students in mind. Rather than discouraging me, these challenges strengthened my resolve and clarified my purpose. Today, I am a doctoral student pursuing a PhD in education with a focus on Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs. I also work in higher education and teach as an adjunct faculty member. In my professional and teaching roles, I encounter students who reflect my own journey, immigrant, first-generation, working, caregiving, and navigating higher education without a roadmap. I recognize their resilience because I have lived it. My career aspirations are rooted in service and advocacy. I aspire to hold leadership roles within higher education where I can influence policies, programs, and institutional cultures that better support immigrant and first-generation students. I am particularly committed to working at institutions that serve diverse and historically marginalized populations, where access, equity, and student well-being must be prioritized. I want to help create environments where students feel a sense of belonging and are empowered to succeed academically and personally. Being an immigrant has taught me adaptability, empathy, and responsibility, not only to my family, but to my community. My achievements are a reflection of my parents’ sacrifices and their belief that education could create a better future. Through my career in higher education, I hope to extend that belief to others by helping students navigate systems with dignity, confidence, and support. This scholarship would help alleviate financial barriers that disproportionately affect immigrant students and allow me to continue my academic journey with greater stability. More importantly, it would support my preparation for a career dedicated to expanding opportunity and equity in higher education. My immigrant experience is the foundation of my ambition, my drive, and my commitment to impact.

As a BIPOC, non-traditional graduate student working full-time while pursuing a PhD in education, I approach my student loan debt with both realism and intention. I understand that higher education is an investment, but I am also acutely aware that excessive debt disproportionately impacts students of color and can limit long-term financial stability. My strategy to address current and future student debt is grounded in careful planning, continuous employment, and a long-term commitment to public service and educational leadership. I am currently enrolled as a doctoral student while working in higher education as an Instructional Lab Technician and serving as an adjunct faculty member. Maintaining employment throughout my academic journey has been essential to minimizing the amount I borrow. By working full-time and part-time concurrently, I can cover living expenses, contribute toward tuition, and reduce reliance on loans. This approach requires balancing demanding schedules, but it reflects my determination to complete my degree without accumulating unmanageable debt. I also actively seek out scholarships and financial aid opportunities designed to support non-traditional, working, and BIPOC students. Applying for scholarships is not only a financial necessity but a strategic effort to disrupt the cycle of debt that often follows students of color for decades. Each award helps me offset tuition costs and reduce future loan obligations, allowing me to focus more fully on my academic and professional responsibilities. As an adult learner and caregiver, I am especially mindful of the long-term implications of student debt. I support my family while pursuing my education, which makes financial planning non-negotiable. I budget carefully, limit discretionary spending, and prioritize financial decisions that support both my immediate needs and future stability. These practices have helped me remain enrolled and progress in my program while managing the realities of caregiving and work. Looking ahead, my long-term plan to address student debt is tied to my career goals in higher education administration and student affairs. I am committed to working in institutions that serve diverse and historically marginalized student populations. By remaining in the public and nonprofit education sector, I intend to pursue loan repayment and forgiveness programs aligned with public service careers. More importantly, my work will focus on creating equitable systems that improve access, retention, and completion for students who face the same barriers I have navigated. Reducing student debt is not only a personal financial goal, but also a matter of equity and sustainability. By working throughout my education, seeking targeted financial support, and pursuing a mission-driven career, I am addressing my student loan debt with intention and responsibility. This scholarship would significantly reduce my financial burden and allow me to continue my education with greater stability, ensuring that my investment in higher education leads not only to personal advancement but to meaningful impact within the communities I serve.

Mental health is foundational to my success as a student because it shapes how I learn, lead, and show up for others. As a graduate student pursuing a PhD in education, I have learned that intellectual ability alone is not enough to sustain academic progress well-being, support, and self-awareness are equally critical. My journey through higher education has been deeply intertwined with my mental health and acknowledging that reality has allowed me to persist with intention rather than silence. I have personally navigated depression and anxiety and have sought support through therapy and medication. Making the decision to prioritize my mental health was not easy, particularly in academic and professional spaces where productivity is often valued over humanity. However, doing so allowed me to continue my education with clarity and resilience rather than burnout. I have also seen the generational impact of mental health challenges within my family. My mother has a history of depression and anxiety, and my oldest son faces similar struggles. These experiences have reinforced for me that mental health is not an isolated issue, it affects families, learning environments, and communities. As a student, educator, and higher education professional, I advocate for mental health by normalizing conversations around it and creating spaces where people feel safe asking for help. In my teaching and professional roles, I practice compassion-centered pedagogy by checking in with students, acknowledging stressors, and emphasizing that seeking support is a strength, not a failure. I am intentional about modeling balance, transparency, and empathy, particularly for students who may be navigating mental health challenges while juggling work, caregiving, or financial pressures. Within my home, advocacy looks like openness and education. I speak honestly with my children about mental health, treatment, and self-advocacy, helping to break the stigma that often prevents individuals from accessing care. I also support my family members by encouraging professional help, validating their experiences, and reinforcing that mental health deserves the same attention as physical health. In my academic work in higher education administration and student affairs, mental health advocacy informs my long-term goals. I am committed to contributing to institutions that prioritize student well-being through equitable policies, accessible resources, and trauma-informed leadership. I believe colleges and universities must move beyond reactive approaches and instead cultivate proactive cultures of care that recognize mental health as integral to student success and retention. Mental health matters to me because I have lived its impact, both the challenges and the growth that come from addressing it with honesty and support. By advocating through dialogue, education, and compassion, I aim to help create communities where students feel empowered to thrive academically and personally. Supporting mental health is not separate from educational success; it is essential to it.

Returning to school in my forties was not a single brave decision, but the result of many moments of reckoning, responsibility, and compassion that steadily reshaped my sense of purpose. I am now a forty-two-year-old PhD student at Claremont Graduate University in the School of Education, focusing on Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs. The courage to return to school came from recognizing that my lived experiences, particularly as an educator, caregiver, mother, and first-generation Mexican immigrant, positioned me to serve students in deeper and more meaningful ways. Earlier in my career, I worked in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry, a field that offered stability and professional growth. When I began my master’s degree, I unexpectedly started teaching as an adjunct instructor. I never imagined myself as an educator, but once I stepped into the classroom, something shifted. I saw myself in my students, their uncertainty, their determination, and their struggles navigating systems that were never designed with them in mind. As a first-generation college student and Mexican immigrant, I remembered how isolating higher education could feel and how much invisible labor it required just to belong. Teaching awakened my compassion and clarified my calling. I wanted to understand not only how students learn, but how institutions either support or hinder their success. That realization pushed me to transition fully into education, where I now teach at the University of La Verne and work as an Instructional Lab Technician in the Chemistry Department at Rio Hondo College. Each role has shown me how critical equity-minded leadership and student-centered policies are, especially for students balancing work, family, and systemic barriers. My courage to persist has also been shaped by my responsibilities outside of academia. I am the mother of a child with autism and epilepsy, and I am a caregiver to my mother, who has end-stage primary biliary cirrhosis. These roles have stretched me emotionally and physically, but they have also expanded my empathy. They have taught me patience, advocacy, and resilience. Caring for those I love has opened my heart to the broader struggles people carry silently, and it has strengthened my belief that education remains one of the most powerful tools for social mobility and dignity. Pursuing a PhD while working, teaching, and caregiving requires grit, but it is driven by purpose. I returned to school because I could no longer ignore the responsibility I felt toward my students and my community. I want to help shape higher education environments where students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, feel seen, supported, and capable of thriving. My courage comes from compassion, and my ambition is rooted in impact. By continuing my education, I am equipping myself to lead with integrity and to serve others with intention.

Living closely alongside chronic medical conditions within my immediate family has profoundly shaped the course of my adult life. I am the primary caregiver for my mother Bartola, who lives with end-stage cirrhosis caused by primary biliary cholangitis. Her condition requires constant monitoring, frequent medical appointments, and ongoing symptom management, she is currently on the list for a liver transplant from UCLA. I am also the mother of two sons with autism. My youngest son Robert has moderate to severe autism and complex medical needs, including epilepsy, which requires emergency preparedness, medication management, and endless advocacy. My oldest son Joseph, while higher-functioning, needs ongoing support with sensory regulation, learning accommodations, and developmental services. Caring for all three means balancing multiple specialists, individualized education plans, unexpected hospital visits, and daily therapeutic routines. These responsibilities have reshaped how I view healthcare, education, and access. They have also tested me physically, mentally, and emotionally. There are days when I feel stretched thin, finishing work, completing doctoral coursework, and then rushing to take care of my son or manage my mother’s symptoms. Yet through these challenges, my determination has only grown stronger. I have learned resilience, precision, patience, and what it means to fight for the dignity and wellbeing of those I love. Growing up as a Mexican American, first-generation college student raised in poverty, I witnessed how language barriers, financial hardship, and cultural stigma can make chronic illness even harder to navigate. Families like mine often don’t know where to start, who to ask, or how to advocate. Pursuing education later in life (now at the doctoral level in Education with a focus on Higher Education and Student Affairs) is my way of transforming lived struggle into systemic change. Professionally, I serve students every day. I work full-time as a Senior Instructional Lab Technician at Rio Hondo College and as an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at the University of La Verne. I mentor first-generation students, parenting students, undocumented students, and those who are quietly balancing medical or caregiving challenges. I lead workshops on navigating college systems, support STEM students academically, and volunteer with inclusion initiatives. Many students confide in me because they see a reflection of themselves, someone who didn’t take the traditional path, yet never gave up. My experiences have shown me how urgently higher education needs to evolve. Colleges often assume students are healthy, financially stable, and unburdened by caregiving duties. When crises happen (hospitalizations, seizures, medical declines) students are forced to sacrifice grades, income, or progress. My long-term goal is to create equity-centered programs that expand access to disability accommodations, flexible course scheduling, emergency grants, and mental health support for caregivers and chronically ill students. I want institutions to view students as whole human beings, not just as academic outputs. Instead of letting adversity shrink my dreams, I’ve allowed it to fuel them. Caring for two autistic sons (one with epilepsy) and supporting my mother through end stage liver disease has strengthened my advocacy, deepened my empathy, and sharpened my understanding of systemic barriers. Every appointment, phone call, and seizure has taught me something about urgency, precision, and compassion. Receiving this scholarship would relieve financial strain associated with graduate tuition and ongoing medical needs in my household. More than that, it would serve as recognition that perseverance matters, that caregivers deserve a seat at the academic table. Chronic illness does not diminish potential. With resources, empathy, and equitable opportunity, families like mine can not only survive, they can lead, advocate, and help transform the very systems that once excluded them.

As a Mexican American, first-generation college student, parent of two sons with autism—one with moderate to severe needs and epilepsy—and caretaker for my mother with end-stage liver disease, I have seen how deeply mental health intersects with caregiving, cultural stigma, disability, and access. In BIPOC communities, many suffer in silence because services are unaffordable, geographically distant, or culturally misunderstood. My unique contribution is to combine art, education, and community outreach to normalize mental health conversations and expand access to low-cost support. As a graduate student in Education, I plan to create culturally responsive workshops on campuses that integrate expressive art activities, storytelling, and mindfulness as entry points to care. These workshops would be free, trauma-informed, and facilitated by professionals of color, reducing intimidation and stigma. Additionally, I hope to partner with colleges and local nonprofits to establish sliding-scale teletherapy networks for students and families facing financial barriers, especially caregivers like myself. By training peer mentors and embedding creative coping strategies into campus support programs, we can widen the first step toward healing—not just for students, but for entire families. Mental health care becomes more affordable and accessible when communities help carry the weight together. I intend to build those bridges.

My journey into STEM has never been simply about science; it has been about access, dignity, and representation. As a Mexican American, first-generation college student, mother of two sons with autism—one with moderate to severe needs and epilepsy—full-time employee, and graduate student in Education, I understand the power STEM holds to transform lives. I chose to pursue STEM because I saw firsthand how scientific literacy, medical equity, and inclusive educational systems can change outcomes for entire communities. Science isn’t abstract for me; it is the difference between early diagnosis and preventable struggle, between access and exclusion, between fear and empowerment. Growing up in poverty, STEM careers felt distant. Few people who looked like me worked in laboratories or taught college-level science. Still, I was drawn to the challenge and possibility behind every question: How does this work? Why? What if we could do better? With determination and guidance from mentors who believed in my potential, I pursued my degree in chemistry, later earning a master’s, and eventually stepping into higher education. Today, I serve as a Senior Instructional Lab Technician at Rio Hondo College and as an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at the University of La Verne. Every day, I witness the difference it makes when a student sees someone from their culture at the front of the classroom. Representation matters—not as a slogan, but as evidence that belonging is real. As a person of color in STEM, my impact begins with access. I mentor first-generation, low-income, and undocumented students who often doubt their place in scientific spaces. I support parenting students juggling coursework and caregiving. I provide chemistry coaching that bridges confidence gaps, not just content gaps. Much of this work happens after hours, in hallways, between meetings—not because it is required, but because I know what it feels like to navigate these systems alone. My personal life further fuels my mission. Advocating for my son’s medical needs and educational rights exposed me to inequities in healthcare, diagnostic bias, and the scarcity of culturally competent providers. STEM cannot claim excellence without inclusivity. Innovations in medicine, biotechnology, and data science fall short if entire populations are overlooked. I hope to use my scientific background and doctoral training in Education to build equity-centered programs that support historically excluded students entering STEM pathways. This means designing curricula that acknowledge cultural context, expanding undergraduate research opportunities, and creating mentorship structures for students who lack generational guidance. Ultimately, I aim to contribute to a STEM ecosystem where diversity is not simply welcomed but valued, where the lived experiences of people of color influence research questions, solve community challenges, and shape technological innovation. Diverse minds bring new insight—into health disparities, environmental justice, drug development, data ethics, and more. Innovation without representation is incomplete. This scholarship would reduce financial strain as I balance graduate school, employment, and intensive caregiving responsibilities. It would allow me to continue mentoring, conducting research, and developing workshops without compromising essential resources for my family. More importantly, it would be a recognition that the voices of students of color matter in building the future of STEM. I chose STEM because I believe knowledge should empower, not exclude. As a person of color, I am committed to lifting others into spaces historically kept out of reach, ensuring that the next generation of scientists looks more like the communities they serve.

Life is inherently hard, but I’ve come to believe that the most meaningful growth comes from how we choose to respond to adversity. At 42 years old, returning to graduate school is not the easiest path, but it is the one that gives my life purpose. As a Mexican American, first-generation college student, full-time employee, mother of two sons with autism (one with moderate to severe needs and epilepsy) and caretaker for my mother, who is battling end-stage cirrhosis due to primary biliary cholangitis, my journey has been anything but simple. Yet each challenge has shaped my values, deepened my empathy, and strengthened my commitment to education and service. Growing up in poverty, college wasn’t an expectation; it was a distant hope. Navigating higher education without guidance brought financial strain, confusion, and doubt. But perseverance became my compass. I completed my undergraduate degree, earned a master’s, and am now pursuing a PhD in Education with a focus on Higher Education and Student Affairs. Today, I work full-time as a Senior Instructional Lab Technician at Rio Hondo College while also serving as an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at the University of La Verne. Balancing my career, doctoral coursework, and caregiving responsibilities has tested me, but it has never broken me. When my son was diagnosed with epilepsy and additional developmental needs, I became not only a parent but an advocate—fighting for equitable services, emergency medical support, and individualized educational plans. These experiences taught me what countless families quietly endure: systems are often not built for those who need support the most. Instead of stepping back, I leaned into my purpose. I returned to education later in life precisely because I want to be part of changing those systems. Service is at the heart of everything I do. I have mentored first-generation students, parenting students, undocumented learners, and women of color pursuing STEM. I lead workshops on academic success, chemistry coaching, and educational access. Often, service looks like staying late to help a struggling student or listening to a parent overwhelmed by navigating disability services. Every interaction is an opportunity to build belonging. Academically, I have maintained a GPA of 3.85 throughout graduate school. Excellence, for me, is an act of resistance, proof that circumstances do not define capability. My career aspirations are rooted in expanding support for nontraditional, adult, and historically excluded students. I want to design equity-centered programs in higher education that provide accessible pathways, particularly for returning learners balancing families, jobs, and financial barriers. Like Debra S. Jackson, I know that education later in life is transformative, not only for the learner, but for everyone they touch. This scholarship would significantly lessen the financial strain of graduate tuition, transportation, and caregiving costs. It would allow me to focus more fully on research, mentorship, and program development without sacrificing essential resources for my family. More importantly, receiving support is a powerful reminder that second chances are valued. I am not pursuing education solely for personal advancement. I am pursuing it to elevate voices too often overlooked, to support the adult learners who feel like time has passed them by, and to build systems that recognize every student’s dignity and potential. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to apply for the Debra S. Jackson Scholarship and to honor a legacy grounded in resilience, compassion, and transformation.

If I could create a class required for all students from kindergarten through 12th grade, it would be called Life Skills for a Changing World. The goal of this course would be to teach essential skills that traditional academic subjects often overlook practical knowledge, emotional intelligence, and civic responsibility, so students can confidently navigate both daily life and the complex challenges of the future. While math, science, and literature build critical thinking, this class would prepare students for the equally important demands of managing relationships, making sound decisions, and contributing to their communities. The course would grow alongside the student’s maturity and developmental stage. In kindergarten through fifth grade, lessons would focus on building empathy, communication, and self-care. At this age, students would learn to identify emotions in themselves and others, listen actively, share respectfully, and practice problem-solving in small conflicts. They would be introduced to basic health habits such as nutrition, hygiene, and the importance of physical activity. These early foundations would help children develop healthy relationships, strong self-awareness, and the resilience needed to handle life’s challenges. In middle school, grades six through eight, the curriculum would shift toward foundational practical skills. Students would practice creating and sticking to a budget, cooking simple but nutritious meals, managing time effectively, and developing digital literacy. They would also explore media literacy, learning to evaluate sources, identify misinformation, and think critically about what they read or watch. These skills would help them become more independent and capable decision-makers. By high school, grades nine through twelve, the focus would expand to preparing students for full adult independence. Topics would include personal finance, such as credit, loans, taxes, and savings, understanding contracts, navigating healthcare systems, and participating in civic life through voting and community engagement. Conflict resolution strategies would be taught alongside mental health skills, such as stress management, self-advocacy, and recognizing when to seek help. Lessons would also address adaptability, encouraging students to develop the flexibility to navigate career changes, technological shifts, and global challenges such as climate change or economic uncertainty. The impact of this course would extend well beyond personal success. Students would graduate with the ability to manage their lives responsibly, communicate effectively across cultural and ideological differences, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. They would possess both the practical tools, balancing a budget, resolving disputes, evaluating information, and the inner confidence to adapt when life changes unexpectedly. Over time, this could lead to a generation that is more empathetic, resourceful, and civically engaged, strengthening the social fabric of our nation. Ultimately, Life Skills for a Changing World would ensure that education prepares students for far more than academic tests. It would equip them for the tests of real life, where compassion, adaptability, and sound judgment matter as much as any equation or essay. In a rapidly changing society, this class could help every graduate not only make a living, but live with purpose, resilience, and a deep sense of responsibility toward themselves and others.

Life is inherently hard, but I’ve come to believe that the most meaningful growth comes from how we choose to respond to adversity. As a Mexican American, first-generation college student, single mother of a son with special needs and epilepsy, full-time employee, and doctoral candidate in Education, I’ve faced more than my fair share of challenges. Yet each difficulty has shaped me into a stronger, more compassionate, and more determined person, and has fueled my drive to uplift others along the way. Growing up in poverty, I learned resilience early. College wasn’t expected in my family, it was a distant hope. I struggled to navigate higher education with limited guidance, financial instability, and few role models. Despite that, I not only completed my undergraduate degree, but went on to earn a master’s, and now, I’m pursuing a PhD in Education with a focus on Higher Education and Student Affairs. I currently work full-time as a Senior Instructional Lab Technician at Rio Hondo College, and I also serve as an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at the University of La Verne. Balancing these roles while raising my son and completing my doctoral coursework has tested me, but it has never broken me. When my son was diagnosed with epilepsy and other special needs, my world shifted. I had to advocate fiercely for his health and education while maintaining my career and academic goals. Rather than stepping back, I leaned into my purpose. I know what it feels like to be unseen, to feel like the system wasn’t built for someone like me, and that’s exactly why I’m determined to change it. Service is at the heart of everything I do. I have mentored countless first-generation and underrepresented students, especially women of color in STEM. I’ve led community workshops, coached underserved students in chemistry, and supported undocumented and parenting students in navigating college. I also volunteer my time to initiatives focused on accessibility and inclusion in education. Whether it’s staying after hours to help a struggling student or guiding a young mother through her return to college, I see every interaction as an opportunity to give back. Academically, I have maintained a GPA above 3.5 throughout my graduate studies, not because it’s easy, but because excellence, to me, is an act of resistance and empowerment. My ambition is rooted in something larger than myself. I want to build equity-centered programs in higher education that remove barriers for nontraditional and historically excluded students. I want to ensure students like me don’t just survive college, they succeed. The Algers’ story is beautiful and moving. Like them, I’ve dedicated my life to helping others, often sacrificing time and comfort to ensure someone else’s success. Receiving this scholarship would be more than financial support, it would be a recognition of the resilience, commitment, and service that I bring to my community every day. I am not just working for a degree, I’m working to transform the very system that tried to leave people like me behind.

I’ve been a fan of LeBron James for as long as I can remember, but my admiration goes far beyond his basketball stats. Yes, LeBron is an incredible athlete who has broken records, won championships, and changed the game. But what truly inspires me is how he has used his platform, his discipline, and his story to impact lives far beyond the court, especially for people like me. LeBron’s journey from Akron, Ohio, to global stardom mirrors a narrative that so many underrepresented individuals understand: rising from humble beginnings and refusing to be defined by limitations. As a Mexican American, first-generation college student, mother of a child with special needs, and a PhD student in Education, I deeply relate to his determination, resilience, and commitment to giving back. I believe LeBron James is the greatest basketball player of all time, not only because of what he’s accomplished, but because of how he’s done it. He’s been consistent for over two decades. He adapts, leads, and pushes himself in every season, on and off the court. He has redefined longevity, leadership, and what it means to be an athlete with a social conscience. Watching him hold the American flag at the Paris Olympics while playing alongside his son, Bronny, wasn’t just a highlight, it was a reminder of how legacy is built through discipline, values, and love for your community. LeBron is a leader who walks the talk. He built a public school for at-risk youth in his hometown. He openly speaks about injustice and uses his influence to promote education and opportunity. As someone who works full-time at a community college, teaches chemistry at the university level, and advocates for underrepresented students, I strive to do the same in my own field. LeBron’s story fuels my own ambition. His legacy is a constant reminder that greatness isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up, evolving, and lifting others as you rise. That’s why I proudly call myself a fan of LeBron James. He’s more than a basketball icon, he’s a blueprint for perseverance, excellence, and purpose. Winning this scholarship wouldn’t just celebrate my admiration for LeBron, it would support me as I continue my journey in higher education, working to break down barriers and uplift the next generation of students. Just as LeBron built his legacy step by step, I hope to build mine, rooted in community, resilience, and impact.

My journey to higher education has been anything but conventional. I grew up very poor in a Mexican American household, where college was not an expectation, it was a dream few around me had the chance to pursue. As a first-generation college student, I had to fight through systemic barriers, financial hardship, and a lack of support to earn my degrees. That journey shaped who I am today and why I’m now pursuing a PhD in Education with a focus on Higher Education and Student Affairs. Currently, I work full-time as the Senior Instructional Lab Technician at Rio Hondo College and serve as an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at the University of La Verne. I’m also a mother to a young son with special needs and epilepsy. Balancing work, caregiving, and doctoral studies is demanding, but it’s also deeply meaningful. Every day, I live the realities of adult learners who are striving to build better futures for themselves and their families. I know what it feels like to stay up late completing coursework after putting your child to bed or preparing for a lecture while worrying about doctor’s appointments and therapies. These experiences have taught me the value of perseverance, compassion, and purpose. The story of Debra S. Jackson resonates deeply with me. Like Debra, I made the decision to return to school later in life, and it has truly transformed me. Her courage to start over at 40 and her lasting impact on her community inspire me to stay focused on my own mission: to break down educational barriers for students like myself, particularly those from underrepresented and underserved communities. I want to be the kind of advocate I once needed, and I hope to inspire others by showing that second chances are powerful and possible. My career goals are rooted in service. I plan to use my research and leadership to help institutions become more inclusive for nontraditional students, student-parents, undocumented students, and students with disabilities. My lived experiences fuel this work, not just as a researcher, but as someone who understands these challenges firsthand. This scholarship would not only alleviate the financial burden of pursuing my doctoral degree, it would honor and validate the many roles I carry. It would allow me to focus more fully on completing my education while continuing to serve my students and support my family. Like Debra, I believe in second chances, in the power of education to create new opportunities, and in the importance of giving back. Receiving the Debra S. Jackson Scholarship would be a deeply personal affirmation of the journey I’ve taken, and a meaningful step toward continuing Debra’s legacy of transformation, community service, and educational equity. I am committed to using my education to create lasting, positive change, and to helping others believe that it’s never too late to start again.