Then and Now

After high school, I couldn't imagine going anywhere else. My PELL Grant made SLCC possible and, quite frankly, I couldn't imagine fitting in at a university. As a kid, I was a gifted student, but my grades fluctuated a lot depending on what was happening at home; I took care of my 4 younger siblings, food could be scarce, and my parents were not around—they worked all the time, multiple jobs. College was never discussed.

Education was an escape for me. I loved STEM but had never seen someone like me pursuing engineering or physics; then I met my future husband in an SLCC organic chemistry class, and he showed me the nanotech and microscope labs. I thought, "Now, this is my jam."

I spent 6 years at SLCC. I wanted to stay there forever; I wanted to earn a bachelor's there if it was possible. It was just this big, beautiful, welcoming place with professors that cared, and people like me. With the help of the College's TRIO STEM advisors, I discovered the McNair Scholars program and then transferred to the U of U, where I earned a degree in physics.

I'm now at Oregon State University pursuing a master's in physics. Eventually, I hope to earn a PhD, which is a goal that has kept me steady and focused. I help teach and run labs, which in turn covers my tuition. I really love helping students make connections that will help them later. My research is in experimental condensed matter physics—I work with nanoelectronics and quantum materials.

"It was just this big, beautiful, welcoming place with professors that cared, and people like me."

Advice

Apply for things even if you don't think you qualify; often, you do, and you just don't give yourself enough credit. If you have a nontraditional background, then you likely already don't give yourself enough credit. Ask for help (sooner, not later), go to office hours, and remember: you are allowed to take up space.