Brenda Rogel: Never fear how high your dreams can be

When I graduated from high school, I feared the height of my dreams, especially because of being a first-generation [college] student. I was lost thinking about my future when Ashley Letteney, a success coach at that time, asked me what I truly wanted to accomplish in life. She opened a door to possibilities. She guided me during my time at Elgin Community College, showing me the different resources and leadership opportunities I had at ECC. That made me feel more confident in college. Being a leader at an academic level was scary, but I’m glad I took twenty seconds of courage to apply for leadership positions. I was co-secretary of the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS) in 2023. And from 2023-2024, I was the executive treasurer of the Student Government here at ECC, giving me a firm leadership foundation. Looking back at my time at ECC, I accomplished things I never knew I could reach for.  

ECC made a significant impact on my life. I met new people and had opportunities to attend amazing events like the Global Leadership Summit and the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI), where I learned many things. Those experiences also motivated me to continue with my education. I’m here because of my parents, siblings, professors, and mentors who saw something in me even when I didn’t see it.   

Write your own story because the hour is just an instant, and one day you are going to ask yourself, “How did I get here?” And people will ask me one day, “How do you speak English so well?” The percentage of Latinxs who complete their bachelor's degree in the United States is 11.0%. I want to be part of the percent. I knew that school life was going to be tough, but I applied for the TRiO program because my family needs me. If I fail, the Latinxs fail too; if I win, they win too, and my future family will win. I'm going to be alone if you don’t come with me. 

Brenda Rogel, '25

Elgin, Illinois 

Associate in Arts