The next time you pick up a prescription, Beatriz Tinajero may be the pharmacy technician behind the counter. Before she was a student in ACC’s Pharmacy Technician Program, though, Tinajero went through the college’s Adult Education Program, studying English and earning her GED.
Beatriz Tinajero in the pharmacy lab at Eastview Campus
“When I was attending GED classes, I was not planning to go to college,” says Tinajero. “I just wanted to get a GED so I could get a better job. But after I attended College for a Day, I decided to go to college.”
College for a Day is an annual event that gives Adult Education students the opportunity to explore credit programs and meet faculty as well as former Adult Education students who have gone on to college. Tinajero participated three times and was especially touched by the stories of former Adult Education students.
“I heard all the things they have been through, and I identified with them,” she recalls. “They really inspired me to continue my education.”
ACC will host its fifth College for a Day on Friday, November 11 at Eastview Campus. Participants take part in three sessions, immersing themselves in academic and workforce programs including Nursing, ACC’s Fire Training Academy, Electronics and Advanced Technologies, and the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, among others. Students also find out about support services and tools for success.
“College for a Day serves as a big motivating factor for Adult Education students to go to college,” says Patricia Hernandez, student transition and success supervisor for Adult Education. “They understand they too can be college students.”
Adult Education has advisors who help students move to college credit programs, and College for a Day is among a number of initiatives to encourage that transition. Those efforts are paying off; nearly half of ACC Adult Education students transition to college, compared with an average 20 percent statewide and 30 percent nationally. Hernandez believes College for a Day contributes to ACC’s GED-to-college success rates.
“Many of our students are first-generation college-goers and have no one to provide them an understanding of college,” Hernandez explains. “College for a Day allows our students to experience the college environment for the first time. Students can begin real conversations about going to college.”
College for a Day sessions are designed with hands-on activities in mind. Beatriz Tinajero said participating in the pharmacy lab and biology lab gave her a true sense of studying those fields.
“We had one day to imagine we were already college students,” she reflects. “My experience was amazing.”
Tinajero decided the Pharmacy Technician Program was the best fit for her, and this semester she is taking Intro to Pharmacy (PHRA 1301) and Pharmaceutical Mathematics I (PHRA 1309). She hopes to graduate in 2013, crediting ACC and College for a Day with helping her see the possibilities for the future.
“In this country, you are never too old to go to college,” she says. “I learned that at College for a Day.”
For additional information on Adult Education at ACC, visit austincc.edu/abe. Questions about College for a Day may be directed to Patricia Hernandez at (512) 223.5124 or [email protected].
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By Ignacio Parra November 10, 2011 - 2:46 pm
Congratulations, Beatriz. Beatriz was a wonderful GED student at Thurmond Heights. She and her sister, Nora, have had their interesting articles published in the Texas Adult and Family Quarterly Success Stories in the past. Great to see that success for the Tinajero sisters is not ending.
By jose mondragon November 11, 2011 - 8:24 pm
Congratulations Beatriz for your participation on this program.I spent a semester studing oral comm at rio grande campus with Beatriz. I was amazing to see the shy girl on the acc page and for the goals that she had accomplished upto now. People like beatriz are a good example for other students whose background is similar to hers.
By Donnalee November 13, 2011 - 12:58 pm
Best wishes to you as you pursue your education. Always remember you can do it? The sacrifices you are making now will be worth it as you finish each step in your degree plan.
By beatriz tinajero November 16, 2011 - 9:11 pm
Thank you very much all of you for your nice comments, i really appreciate it.
By brenda rios November 17, 2011 - 12:12 pm
im very very proud of my cousin beatriz for striving hard to make the best of her life. i havent seen you in many years but i want you to know im super proud of your accomplishments and wish you the best!!!,
By Tina McGaughey November 21, 2011 - 9:27 pm
I always knew the Tinajero sisters had the magic! Congratulations! Your old Thurmond teacher, Tina McGaughey
By Mrs. Hubble December 1, 2011 - 9:11 am
Beatriz:
I know you will finish with the highest marks! Your motivation and willingness to listen and learn will serve you well all your life! Remember, UT has a pharmacist degree and you can do that too!
JHubble