At 39, Joseph Gutierrez is proving that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
At the end of the year, Joseph will graduate from Austin Community College District (ACC) with his associate degree in General Studies. It is a milestone nearly six years in the making. He first enrolled in spring 2018, unsure of exactly where higher education would take him, but certain he needed to move forward.
“I had trouble finding my way. I knew I needed to further my education, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do or how I was going to get there.”
What began as a search for support quickly became something much bigger when Joseph joined ACC’s TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program. The federally funded initiative is designed to help first-time college students stay on track for graduation or transfer. TRIO provides one-on-one advising, academic coaching, tutoring, financial literacy education, transfer planning, and more. Active participants can also apply for an annual $1,000 scholarship.
After his first meeting, Joseph realized the long-term impact TRIO could have.
“After my first meeting, I realized the connections that could come from being part of TRIO would help me down the road.”
Central to that experience has been his TRIO advisor.
“My advisor has been a huge driving factor in my success. Antonio has never given up on me, even after I took a step back from learning. He fought to get me back in the program. He has been my biggest supporter here at ACC and has kept me on track academically, financially, and made sure to check on my mental health.”
Joseph’s journey was not without setbacks. Math became a major obstacle, threatening his financial aid and his progress toward graduation.
“I almost lost my financial aid due to my struggles with math. I tried taking the courses online and in person and couldn’t understand them enough to pass. I took the math TSI [Texas Success Initiative] five times, trying to test out. It even got to the point where I wasn’t allowed to take anything but math. When I thought I was done, Antonio and TRIO were there to help me with multiple appeals, more tutoring, and support services. I passed math and have been on a roll ever since.”
As he approaches the finish line at ACC, it isn’t the end of his journey. It is just the beginning.
“After ACC, I will continue to pursue my bachelor’s and beyond. My flame has just been sparked in my educational journey, and I don’t see it going out any time soon.”
Joseph is also passionate about recognizing the achievements of first-generation and low-income students, understanding the broader impact of milestones like his.
“The lack of opportunity that was available to our parents is in no way a measure of the knowledge they passed on. When we celebrate our achievements, they celebrate as well, knowing they led us there. It shows in the tears of pride that are shed at every graduation. We also show that being financially burdened does not affect intellect. Ignorance isn’t an incurable disease; it’s an unopened book.”
For students considering TRIO, his advice is simple:
“Do it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. The people who are involved care about you and your success. TRIO has had a major impact on my life, and if I can ever give back to the program, I am willing to help.”
For more information on the program, visit austincc.edu/trio.