Maricela Juarez, 45, has not lost hope to reach her dream of working in the Texas criminal justice system.
“I am working on my associate degree in criminal justice at Austin Community College and want to transfer to Texas State,” says Juarez. “I plan to work for the juvenile probation system, where I already volunteer working with troubled youth.”
Juarez can relate to kids caught up with making wrong choices. She dropped out of middle school and became a single mother of six at an early age. In 2013, when her youngest child entered high school, she decided to enroll in the GED program of ACC’s Adult Education Division.
“After 15 years of working at the same restaurant I realized I no longer wanted to be at a dead-end job,” Juarez says. “Adult Education changed my life completely.”
Adult Education changed my life completely”
With guidance from mentors, Juarez laid the groundwork for a successful college experience. She gained the confidence to take core curriculum/general education courses.
“Once I completed my GED in February 2016, I enrolled in the College Prep Program offered by Adult Education to get me ready to start taking credit courses.”
Through an internship in the Adult Education Division, Juarez acquired new skills to land competitive interviews in the Austin job market. She hopes others can realize it’s never too late to make change happen.
“I want to inspire students with what I’ve been through so they can see that education can help them get further in life,” she says. “The best memory I will take from Adult Education will be the great support and encouragement that has been offered to me.”
Tags: adult education, assistance, core curriculum, Criminal Justice, GED, inspire, Maricela Juarez, mentors
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By Leticia Gonzalez November 17, 2017 - 9:43 pm
Maricela, eres nuestro orgullo! Proud of you!
By PNicholson November 23, 2017 - 1:03 am
Maricela, congratulations! I wish you success as you further your education and work to fulfill your dream. You are a wonderful role model for your children and others. Thank you for sharing your story and speaking out about the great work being done at ACC.
By Jessica Horta-Perez November 28, 2017 - 6:00 pm
Maricela, absolutely inspired by your historia! Motivacion!
By Kathy Frost November 28, 2017 - 6:09 pm
Maricela, you are surely an inspiration to countless other people, young and old, to go back to school and to keep plugging away at it, even when it’s difficult. You’re a testament to the power of the human spirit.
By Charles November 28, 2017 - 6:31 pm
Thank you for your perseverance and reminding me how precious each student/story is that walks through our doors.
By Lety November 28, 2017 - 10:58 pm
Maricela, I am so proud to be a part in your journey. You are such a hardworking student and co-worker and you are an inspiration to me to keep going no matter what the obstacle.
By Susana Carrion November 29, 2017 - 2:53 pm
Felicidades Maricela! Si se puede!
Te deseo lo mejor hoy y siempre. Congratulations Maricela!
By Becky Rivera-Weiss, Odessa College November 29, 2017 - 3:19 pm
Que historia tan conmovedora, vale la pena esforzarce, y sacrificar por un tiempo— para lograr un sueno y ser un buen ejemplo. Adelante!!
By Sunita Misra November 29, 2017 - 8:19 pm
What a wonderful article Maricela, it’s always a pleasure to see you and talk about your journey, what an achievement, and what an amazing role model you are for your children…….. look forward to hearing about many more of your successes!
By Lillian Huerta November 29, 2017 - 10:24 pm
Congratulations on your achievements and for inspiring others that it is never to late to work on their academic dream.
By Pat Juarez November 30, 2017 - 2:20 pm
Maricela,
Reading the title of your story caught my eye and as I read it, it took me by surprise!!because it is some-what similar to my life (except the kids).
I too dropped out of middle school and spent a lot of years making wrong choices.
I’m a few years older and my last name is Juarez too.
I’m currently enrolled at ACC SAC to get an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and I also plan to transfer to Texas State. I have a job that I’ve been at for 15 years, that I’ve been truly blessed to have. However, just like you it’s a dead end job and I know I was meant to do more in my life, to make a difference, to help others to make a change in this world. So, thank you for sharing your story and Congratulations in taking this new adventure in your life!!! And maybe someday we will cross paths in our new jobs!!!
By Margie December 5, 2017 - 12:19 am
Maricela
You are a star! It has been such a privilege and delight to work with you as a student, an HSE graduate, and an Adult Education intern. You will bring such a wealth of experience and inspiration to those you will help in the field of juvenile probation. We will follow your dream along with you.
By Maria Gpdinez December 5, 2017 - 2:00 am
Felicidades Maricela! Tu siempre me inspiras a no desanimarme. gracias por compartir con nosotros.
By Dennis December 6, 2017 - 9:12 pm
Maricela,
I watched you during this process and was always in awe. I’m very proud of you!
By Dennis December 6, 2017 - 9:12 pm
Very proud of you!
By Andrea Castro December 7, 2017 - 3:52 pm
I am so happy to read your story! It is never too late to make dreams come true and become a better version of yourself! You are an inspiration for the latino community and such a role model not only for your kids but for the whole ACC student population! Mucho exito en su carrera!
By Laura Tabor December 19, 2017 - 2:29 pm
Yeah! I love to hear about people’s perseverance and seeking a fulfilling career. Best of luck to you and your family and the criminal justice system will be better with you in it.
By don henderson December 21, 2017 - 4:31 pm
Congratulations, Maricela!
If I can be of assistance please let me know.
By A. Berenice Hdz January 11, 2018 - 8:50 pm
We are so proud of you! I love you big sister. You are a wonderful woman! Sigue adelante éxito en todo!!!