Student Experience: Viridiana Almanza

“Ever since I was nine, I wanted to be involved with the law. I’d heard good things about Dallas College's Criminal Justice programs and about Bill Drake as one of the best instructors. I took two classes and liked the way they were taught. I think he’s one of the best and I like the way that everything just makes sense in his class. In fact, I just love him! 

“I work more than 50 hours a week in a candy factory, but school motivates me because I love it – and I don’t ever miss a class. After I finish at Dallas College, I want to transfer to Sam Houston State University to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. I dream of becoming an FBI agent or U.S. marshal. I want to handle federal cases and hunt down drug dealers. 

“My experience in the program has been great. We just started the Criminal Justice Club and I’m the vice president. We’re going to focus on helping each other, tutoring, looking for jobs and visiting universities with transfer programs.

“Sure, it’s hard to work full-time and go to school full-time too. But who said that life was going to be easy? My friends at work sometimes ask me how I do it; I’m not rich and to be honest, it’s hard to earn a living and go to school. But I’ve been working since I was 15 and I bought my first car by myself at 16. 

“I have a poster on my wall that I see every morning, about how much earning power every degree gives you, starting with a high school diploma at about $17,000. I don’t to be working for minimum wage the rest of my life. When people ask me why I go to school, I tell them it’s because I want a better life.”

Viri Almanza is working towards an associate degree in Criminal Justice. She is bilingual in Spanish and English.

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