Rebecca Solis enrolled at South Texas College with a determination to succeed and provide for her children’s future.

“I am getting a college education for them,” Solis said. “I want to give them more opportunities to have a better future. I know that with a college education I will be able to offer them this and more.”

After graduating from Mission High School, Solis decided to take a full-time job at a local bank as an assistant manager.

“I was gaining a lot of experience at the bank,” said Solis. “The job was easy for me, but I knew that without a college education I was never going to be promoted to a higher position. Besides I didn’t have my children then and when I had my daughter Kayla I knew that I needed to go back to school in order to offer her a better life.”

Solis now has three-year old Kayla and one-year old Patrick and is currently focused on completing the associate’s degree in Occupational Therapy.

“I like to help people and this is the right career to do just this,” said Solis, who is now finishing her core classes to start the OT program in spring 2006. “With occupational therapy I feel I am giving people an opportunity to have a better life.”

“After I complete the associate’s degree at STC I want to continue at the University of Texas-Pan American,” she said. “I don’t like to settle. When I start something I like to do it right and I know that if I want to succeed I need to be the best in this field. And I know that I can only reach that success through a college education.”

Why did you select STC?
I selected STC because it was closer to home and it was convenient.

What is the biggest advantage of attending a community college?
The biggest advantage of attending a community college is that the classes are smaller. The instructors also place more attention on the students.

What is your biggest challenge to getting an associate’s degree or certificate?
For me it is dividing time between education and my family.

What are your plans following STC?
I plan to continue my education at the University of Texas-Pan American.

What do you like most about STC?
What I like most is the friendly environment and the attention that the instructors give the students.

What advice can you offer people considering going to college?
Never give up. Education is within your reach. You can make it happen!