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What was your major at ACC/UT? I was originally an Economics major at ACC then quickly realized it was not for me and changed it to Communication Studies. I loved the curriculum and continued on with the same major in the Corporate Communication track at The University of Texas at Austin.
What was the most confusing part of the transfer process, and how did you overcome it? For me, the most confusing part was creating my academic resume for the UT Austin application. I didn’t keep a log of everything I had accomplished, so it was very difficult trying to find all of the specific information that I needed to include. Another frustrating part was figuring out what was and was not relevant in the academic resume. I wasn’t fully aware of all of the great resources ACC had to offer at the time and being in the middle of COVID, I really sought guidance from my family in helping me out with this portion of the application.
Is there a specific professor or staff member at ACC who mentored you or pushed you to take the next step? If so, how did they help? A few ACC staff members come to mind, but my Academic Advisor, Diana Hernandez-Quinonez, was the first person to help me get established at ACC and navigate the transfer process. She listened to my goals and helped me narrow down the universities I was considering then presented me with the transfer guides for those schools to make sure that I was taking the correct courses. She also introduced me to the Ascender program, where I was accepted by a loving community that I like to call my familia. As a result, I met other wonderful ACC employees who always cheered me on, mentored me, and wrote a letter of recommendation on my behalf. I cannot imagine not meeting Ms. Diana because she really helped shape my time at ACC.
What resources do you think all ACC students should utilize to help set them up for transfer success? To help with transfer success, I believe that all ACC students should meet with Advising, Transfer Services, and the Learning Lab. Academic Advisors can help students identify their goals and assist in creating a clear pathway to go from ACC to their intended destination. While advisors can help with transfer related questions, our dedicated transfer specialists help students explore transfer destinations, understand university requirements, and assist with the application process. Lastly, I have had the privilege of working in the Learning Lab and the tutors are such passionate educators who want to see their students learn, grow, and succeed.
What was the most exciting/memorable part of your transfer to UT? The most exciting part of my transfer to UT was receiving my acceptance letter after waiting months to hear a decision. In high school, my grades were average so I never considered UT Austin being an option for me. I learned from my mistakes and fully applied myself to community college where I essentially received a second chance. My entire experience at UT Austin was memorable and it all came full circle when I crossed the stage in my ACC Ascender stole.
What advice do you have for current Riverbats planning to transfer? For current Riverbats who want to transfer, I would recommend giving yourself options and taking advantage of the free ACC resources available. While UT Austin was my #1 choice, I also applied to two other universities that closely aligned with my goals. After being accepted into all three, I then had to consider the best school for me based on location, cost of living, scholarship opportunities, if my program was ranked, etc. This is why I highly recommend meeting with a Transfer Specialist early on because they can help you narrow down your search to your top 2-3 schools and then proceed from there. ACC has wonderful faculty and staff who want to see you succeed — it’s just taking that first step!
Tell us about your higher education experience. I have a Bachelor’s in Zoology from the University of Texas at Austin (2000) and two associates from ACC in Network Administration and Information Security (2009).
What do you like to do outside of work? Do you have any hobbies or interests that you’re passionate about? Outside of work I really enjoy watching football and during kitten season I’m a kitten foster for the Austin Humane Society.
What inspired you to work at ACC? What is your role and how long have you been in this role? I got a job as a tutor originally in 1999. When I graduated I went off to a full time job, but returned to school for new training in computers. I started tutoring again and that’s when I discovered it was my passion. I’ve been doing it for 20 years this October. It’s the best job I’ve ever had by far.
If you have one, can you share a success story of a student who you helped transfer to their dream school, and what advice do you have for other students who want to follow in their footsteps? I’ve helped so many students move towards their goal. Just this summer I helped someone get an A in chemistry. She needs to get straight A’s or she won’t get into the program she was shooting for. Although she struggled and we worked together a lot, she did it. Things like that happen all the time and make me really satisfied with the work I do. People struggle in math and science, but I can help them achieve their goals.
How do you stay motivated and engaged in your work? What keeps you coming back each day? I just love it, all aspects. It gives me a reason to get up every day, motivated to know that it’s another day I get to help put educated people into our community who will do things that can make it a better place for all of us.
What is one thing that you wish every student knew about the transfer process? Follow the transfer guides. They are the most accurate way to know what will transfer and what won’t. You might take a class where the credit will transfer, but it’s not on the list of requirements, so you’re not going to be able to use it to get to the next level. It’s basically a waste of time and money.
Do you have any other recommendations for students planning to transfer? Please use all of ACC services so we can help you get to where you want to go. ACC offers a lot of benefits that you should take advantage of. On my end, tutoring isn’t just free, it’s a benefit that you can easily use to improve your grades. That directly translates to you being more competitive and having more options for where you want to go when the time comes.
Got news, tips, or a student you’d like to spotlight? We’d love to feature your contributions in our next newsletter!
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