Ray

Back in 1997, I graduated from San Marcos High School (home of the mighty RATTLERS)! After graduation, I really didn’t know what to expect. Out of three brothers and four sisters, I was the first to finish high school and I really didn’t give much thought to college at that point. I decided to enlist in the United States Marine Corp. After a four year enlistment, I wanted to go to college but I didn’t know where to start. Fortunately, ACC provided me with a starting point that began with an associate degree in foreign language which lead to a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University-San Marcos (go Bobcats) and a master’s at St. Edwards University (go Hilltoppers)! This May, I’ll begin my Doctorate at the University of Texas at Austin (go Longhorns)! Not only did ACC give me a starting point academically, but it also allowed me to pursue my professional interests as well. Since 2001, I have been lucky to assist students with financial aid questions, claiming their educational veteran benefits, helping them join or start up their own college clubs and organizations, campus tours, talking to high school seniors throughout Central Texas about the importance of higher education, and advising them on an academic path that can also help them professionally and personally. As a college recruiter, I really enjoyed going back to my old high school in San Marcos and talking to these students about using ACC and higher education to reach their goals. Back in 1997, I would have never thought I’d be a college graduate coming back to the place where I grew up, talking to people in my community about the importance of higher education. For that, I say “THANK YOU ACC!!!”