Helen Palomino

October 16, 2024

Helen Palomino didn’t go straight into a doctoral degree program after earning her master’s degree in social work from San Diego State University in 2008. She had a good reason for postponing her doctoral aspirations. Palomino instead focused on helping her children achieve their college degrees while also establishing her career in the field of […]


Delana Gonzales

October 16, 2024

Delana Gonzales, born and raised in New Mexico’s Land of Enchantment, did not leave her education to chance. Through the guidance of her mentor and strong Latino family support, she applied herself diligently and advanced as a scholar in the field of psychology at the University of New Mexico (UNM). During her time at UNM, […]


Diana Flores

October 16, 2024

Some of Diana Flores’ extended family members didn’t want her to go to college. They thought she should stick to a traditional Latina role—wife and mother—instead of “wasting” money and time on education. But Flores’ mother and father encouraged her to pursue the educational career path she was passionate about. With their support, she earned […]


Edgar Rodriguez

October 16, 2024

Edgar Rodriguez, uncertain where his education would take him, was encouraged by his family to leave his native Mexico City and pursue the type of higher education that would provide him with the skills to develop a successful career. Buoyed by his family’s support and his never-give-up attitude, he successfully became a U.S. citizen and […]


Carla Rosales

October 16, 2024

Carla Rosales found herself essentially on her own in a new city in New Orleans, not knowing anyone, not knowing much about the college process and little financial aid. But with her supportive parents in her native Honduras and her family’s faith and culture, she overcame many hurdles and doubts to move to New Orleans […]


Aditi Wahi

October 16, 2024

Aditi Wahi practices “empathy”—that is, she tries to put herself into other people’s shoes, whether it’s helping her younger sister cope with a rare disease or recruiting pediatric patients and their parents pre-surgery and observing the children after. Being in tune with and passionate for the people you are trying to help is a hallmark […]