In this podcast, Jackie, a proud Mexican American and first-generation college graduate, shares her personal story of resilience, determination, and the role community college played in her success. Her journey reflects both the challenges and the opportunities that come with pursuing higher education as a first-gen student.
Growing Up First-Gen in California’s Central Valley
Jackie was born and raised in California’s Central Valley. With roots in Morelia, Mexico, through her mother, and San Jose, California, through her father, her identity is deeply connected to her Mexican American heritage.
Although her parents valued education and wanted to give her and her siblings opportunities they themselves had experienced, Jackie’s path was not without challenges. As a first-generation college student, she became the first in her immediate family to attend and complete a bachelor’s degree, ultimately graduating from Sacramento State.
Facing Adversity: Family Transitions and the Pandemic
Jackie’s college journey was far from easy. While adjusting to a new city and taking on adult responsibilities, her family went through the difficulty of divorce—right before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
Her mother, siblings, and Jackie found themselves living in a shelter, unemployed, and struggling to make ends meet. Jackie also carried the responsibility of helping her mother navigate English-language documents. At one point, she nearly put her education on hold to work full time and support her family. Yet, her mother encouraged her to remain in school, reminding her that education was the key to their future stability.
Finding Support: Emergency Aid and Counseling
At a crossroads, Jackie reached out to an academic counselor for advice. That step changed her journey. She was able to secure an emergency grant that helped her cover tuition during one of the toughest times in her life.
While she did need to take out loans to finish her degree, Jackie realized that debt was not the most sustainable option. Determined to minimize her financial burden, she sought out more affordable pathways.
Smart Choices: Leveraging Community College for Transfer Success
Jackie carefully mapped out her remaining coursework and enrolled in general education classes at her local community college, Bristol Junior College. By doing so, she significantly reduced her loan balance and even accelerated her graduation timeline.
Balancing full-time work and full-time studies was exhausting, but her strategy paid off—she was able to graduate earlier than expected and with less debt than she had anticipated.
Paying It Forward: Supporting Students and Families
Since graduating, Jackie has dedicated her career to education. She now works directly with students and families, connecting them to resources that improve their learning and broaden their opportunities.
While Jackie was able to find and use resources like academic advising and emergency aid, she knows that many students don’t have the same support or time to uncover these opportunities. That’s why she’s passionate about TecoGuide—a platform designed to simplify the process, making resources and guidance more accessible for all students.
Jackie’s journey demonstrates that resilience, family support, and smart planning can transform hardship into achievement. Community colleges play a vital role in helping students save money, graduate faster, and reduce debt, making higher education more accessible and equitable.
#TecoGuide, the only app designed to help you navigate your college and career journey in the quickest and most affordable way. Brought to you by #EdTechQuity, we are committed to opening doors to higher education and career opportunities for all.
Thank you for tuning into #TecoGuide, the app dedicated to providing valuable insights on education and career success. Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and share.
Visit our website https://www.inspirame.com/ and Download the app today
#EducationEquity #TransferSuccess #CommunityCollege
