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Ksenia Banes, CVT

“I am a CVT (Certified Veterinary Technician) and currently work as an ophthalmology technician. None of this would have been possible if I had not attended Dallas College. 

“My experience in the Vet Tech program prepared me to both pass my boards and also feel prepared for a real-life career. It helped me see many opportunities for veterinary technicians. There is a common misconception that all graduates of vet tech programs go on to work at a general small-animal practice, but the truth is that your options are endless as long as you are willing to continue to learn! 

“My experience at Dallas College was both challenging and rewarding. I gained knowledge and confidence and felt supported and helped along the way by my instructors. I have very warm memories of attending the large-animal lab and meeting my teachers and other students. I felt like I already knew them, and, better yet, I felt like they knew me! 

“Thanks to Dallas College, I doubt I will stop my education and professional growth. I've just started looking into additional certification as a Veterinary Technology Specialist (VTS) in ophthalmology, one of the newest additions to veterinary specialties. I have confidence and motivation as well as the skills necessary to study and learn out of the classroom. I've gained all that through Dallas College. I love telling about my experience with Cedar Valley's program. I have recommended it to others and will continue to do so.” 

Ksenia Banes earned an associate degree in Veterinary Technology in 2014 from Cedar Valley through its distance learning program and drove in from Illinois for graduation. She worked at a small animal practice for a year before applying to the veterinary ophthalmology practice where she currently works in Wheeling, Illinois.


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Kim Nguyen

Oanh Kim Nguyen, MLT(ASCP)

Medical Laboratory Technician Methodist Medical Center of Dallas
“My first experience at community college was taking ESL classes at Richland and Brookhaven, which were close to where I lived. Then when I started exploring what kind of program I wanted to take for a career change, I saw Medical Laboratory Technology and transferred to El Centro ... I always tell people who are thinking about community college to think about Medical Laboratory Technology, and I tell them about my personal experience with the program. It’s a stable job, in a quiet environment with a lot less stress than many other medically related fields, and the people are very friendly and professional. I really love my job.”
English as a Second Language (ESL and ESOL), Medical Laboratory Technology
Dolores Schueler

Dolores (Dee) Schueler, BSN, LVN, RN, CRNI

Director of Nurses USBioservices
“Our instructors had high expectations and saw our potential. They let us know that it wasn’t going to be easy, but it wasn’t going to be insurmountable either.”
Nursing
Sylvia Moreno

Sylvia Moreno, BSN, RN

Director of HIV Services Parkland Hospital of Dallas
“Community college gave me everything I needed to take and succeed in classes for an advanced degree.”
Nursing
Shawn Terry

Shawn Terry, B.A., RRT, RCP

Respiratory Care Practitioner, Parkland Health and Hospital System
“Respiratory therapists are not just technicians trained to deliver treatments and therapies with different types of equipment. We have to truly comprehend a wide range of topics and how they relate to a patient’s condition.”
Respiratory Care Program
Ksenia Banes
Ksenia Banes, CVT
Ophthalmology Technician Eye Care for Animals Wheeling, Ill.

Veterinary Technology
School of Health Sciences
Updated November 25, 2025