Dallas College

Student Experience: Veronica Alejandro

“I’ve always had a passion for law enforcement; I like that it’s black and white and I like the aspect of helping people. I grew up in the projects of El Paso, so I know something about gangs and violence and I want to help people get out of that vicious cycle. I want to help people make changes and be different. 

“I sat down one day to talk to my two children about how I wanted them to go to college and they asked me if I went to college. There are 100 reasons why I didn’t go and economics was the main one. But the next day, I went to Brookhaven and registered for classes. And then I came back to my kids and said, ‘I’m going this for you guys and for myself too. I want to show you that no matter how hard it is, going to college is possible.’ I had a good career as a job recruiter for many years, but I wanted more. 

“My goal is to go to another Dallas College campus to get Peace Officer Training, become a police officer and work part-time on my bachelor’s degree and eventually end up in forensics. I want every day to be a new challenge and I want to help people – but not from behind a desk. My criminology classes at Dallas College have all been good and I like the life experience my professors bring to the classroom.

“My advice to others starting college later in life? Don’t give up on your dreams! It doesn’t matter how old you are; you can push through it. I started college late but the main thing is that I started.” 

Veronica Alejandro is a criminology student at Dallas College, with future plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at the University of North Texas.


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Vera L. Jones

Verna L. Jones, M.S.W.

Executive Director Under 1 Roof
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Kristine Farmer

S. Kristine Farmer

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“My paralegal classes really gave me the fundamental foundation of what it means to be a paralegal. I had always been the only paralegal in a small law firm and I got a much better understanding of how paralegals are utilized in much larger firms. I got a lot of practical information, particularly in legal research and writing, on how to write persuasively. The overall quality of instruction was really just exceptional.”
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Sheila Grace (Isom)

Sheila Grace, M.S., LPCI

Counselor Gateway Foundation In-Prison Treatment Center Brownwood
“How did I get to Eastfield’s Substance Abuse program? To be honest, I was in recovery myself. When I got to Eastfield, I did not even know what a semester hour was — I just knew I wanted to do something that would help someone else escape the horrors of addiction.”
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Leonard Garcia

Leonard Garcia

Check processor with a major mortgage company
“I apply my conflict management skills in all aspects of my daily life: in the workplace with my co-workers, at home with family and in most social environments.”
Conflict Management
Veronica Alejandro
Veronica Alejandro
Dallas College student and hopeful future police officer
Criminal Justice
School of Law and Public Service
Updated July 28, 2026