Nadya Vasquez Advises "Go at your own pace"

TRiO Student Graduating on Thursday

by Mary Bruner

Owensboro, KY (05/13/2019) — Nadya Vasquez spent most of her life in Mexico. In her words, the community that she and her family lived in was "seeing a lot of crime." For instance, her family's vehicle was stolen by a group of people who later tried to kidnap her as she walked home from high school. Her family quickly decided that she and three of her younger siblings should immediately move to Owensboro, where her dad was already living. Her mom and youngest sister would stay in Mexico for another six months while awaiting resident paperwork.

Arriving in Owensboro, Nadya could not adequately communicate because her knowledge of the English language was limited. Obviously, she struggled in high school due to the language barrier and felt that she was not adequately prepared for college. While she was in high school, she said no one discussed going to college with her. While her classmates were talking about going to college, she had no idea about college, as her parents had never attended college and she is the oldest child in her family. Therefore, upon her high school graduation, she joined the workforce and investigated colleges. A year later, she enrolled at OCTC.

Since arriving at OCTC in August 2016, Nadya has blossomed and grown as an individual. Her use of the English language was a bit shaky; however, now she has little difficulty in formulating her words. She once was a quiet individual, but now she enjoys sharing her story with others. She works as a student worker in the computer lab for TRiO Student Support Services.

Nadya is glad she chose OCTC. She encourages potential college students to enroll at OCTC, where the small class sizes allow students to get to know each other and their teachers. She also advises, "Once you're in college, regardless of age because there are lots of different ages [of people in each class] don't feel pressured or rushed. Go your own pace. If you try to rush you will not enjoy your college experience."

She took her own advice and went at her own pace to complete her Associate of Science degree. She will graduate in May but will not immediately transfer. Her goal is to work as a certified nursing assistant for a few years before enrolling into a medical program at a four-year university. She praises Dr. Timothy Dick for his encouragement to never give up. Watch Nadya's video.

OCTC's TRiO Student Support Services is a federally funded program offering academic and personal support for students with disabilities, first-generation college students or individuals who are income eligible. The goal of the program is to reduce barriers to help students successfully complete classes, graduate, and/or transfer to a 4-year institution. Once students become active TRiO members, they remain a member and receive our services for the duration of their college career.

OCTC's TRiO staff is made up of Becky Hodskins, Director, Lindsey Greer, Advisor, and Mary Bruner, Program Assistant. The TRiO office is located on the upper level of the Learning Resource Center. For more information about OCTC's TRiO please contact mary.bruner@kctcs.edu.

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