2021 - Leslie Miranda: Never underestimate your potential

My journey at Elgin Community College started in the fall of 2015 after graduating high school. I graduated a year ahead of my class with high hopes of attending college early. Unfortunately, life didn’t go as planned, and I had to withdraw. As a first-generation college student, it was difficult for me to navigate through college. I faced many challenges and had to make a lot of sacrifices.

After three years, I decided to re-enroll at ECC and finish my prerequisites for the nursing program. I joined the ECC Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, and the TRiO program within a year.

In the fall of 2019, I was accepted into ECC’s nursing program. The nursing program gave me valuable opportunities to volunteer at COVID-19 vaccination clinics, get hands-on experience at multiple healthcare facilities, and allowed me to create life-long friendships along the way. I am extremely grateful to my professors and clinical instructors for preparing me for success and motivating me to impact our community's health positively.

My advice to future students, especially my fellow first-generation students, is never to underestimate your potential and continue striving for success. Our sacrifices, resilience, and impact are paving the way for the next generation of future students and graduates.

Thank you to Margaret Le Moyne, Aja Ferguson, Mary Arndt, Adan Torres, and Jason Kane, who have helped me along my journey at ECC.

Leslie Miranda, Carpentersville
Associate of Applied Science