Discover Our Students’ Experiences Through Their Own Words: Gina Becerra

“This was one of the best decisions I ever made. When I first applied for college, I chose a business college that was south of Dallas. They promised to help me because they said they didn’t want me not to go to college, just because I didn’t have the money. I was excited about going to a good college that cared. The day of orientation I was told that I had to pay for the first semester — $7,000. Needless to say, I didn’t have that kind of money on me at the moment. I was crushed.

“I later moved to Dallas and started working as a teleresearcher doing radio surveys. I was laid off a year later. That was when my cousin brought up the idea of coming to Richland. At first I was hesitant, but I decided to come up here with her and check it out. I accompanied her through the whole process. She easily took care of everything in one day, so later that week I came back and went through the process myself. It was so much easier. I enrolled in classes, and I was able to apply for financial aid as well. This time it was going to work!

“I was nervous when I first started, but I soon felt comfortable and more confident in myself thanks to the instructors and staff in the BOSS program. They inspired me to try harder and to believe in myself. Thanks to Becky Jones, I was able to get a job on campus in the president’s office and a part-time job in Program Development for one summer.

“Because of the education I received from this program and the dedication of the instructors and staff, I was able to succeed in the workplace. I feel prepared and ready for what comes my way, and I also know that there are people out there who truly care about me and others like me who want to get ahead in life. “I started as a student, but now I’m also an employee. I want to help others who come to this school, as I was helped. It’s a good feeling.”

Gina Becerra received a BOSS Executive Assistant associate degree. She certifies candidates for the WIA Youth G.E.D. program. She also teaches Command Spanish for the Medical Office Specialist youth training program offered at the Garland campus.

A student with a red jacket poses for a photo in a downtown setting

Stephanie Gutierrez

Culinary Student

“At El Centro’s Culinary and Hospitality Institute, I’m learning how to plan a menu and use time management in the kitchen. Now with SkillsUSA, it’s teaching me to get where I want to go.”

Culinary and Pastry Arts

Albert Pantoja III

Senior Accountant American Home Mortgage Servicing

“My experience was really good; I learned a lot about different types of loans, underwriting and loan origination. The program gave us a broad overview from the get-go. I didn’t have any previous experience in mortgage banking at all, so it really helped me to prepare for changing jobs into the industry.”

Banking and Finance

Tammy White

Project Manager Verizon Telecom

“The most important thing I learned in my education was a sense of accomplishment and purpose, and that nothing is impossible as long as I am willing to expend the effort to reach my goals. I have been promoted a number of times in recent years, into positions of more and more responsibility as a direct result of my education.”

Business, Business and Management