Stories & Case Studies
Israel Vicencio is a pre-nursing student at Pierce College in Washington. A U.S. Army veteran and a father to a 14-month-old son, he is one of millions of community college students who, every year, work toward a degree while raising a family. He spoke to ATD about his educational experiences so far and where he hopes his college journey will take him.
Q&A
Q: Tell us about your education and parenthood journeys.
A: I have been taking some colleges classes for over five years now, but since I was serving in the Army, I was only able to take a few classes at a time and sometimes I had to stop due to different missions and directives. I stopped taking classes and continued again after my baby was six months old — you can say I was able to sleep better then. But pursuing higher education became my goal because I was trying to provide a better future for my family by being a better version of myself through education.
Q: What are your post-college hopes/plans?
A: I plan to provide for my family not only financially but also with my time and efforts. I believe that we will never stop learning, so, if given the opportunity, I would like to continue studying for even higher education beyond my associate degree.
Q: What are some ways your college shows up for you to support your journey?
A: My professor from a recent class was empathetic about an event in my life. Even though I was unable to participate due to a death of a family member, she was understanding about my situation and it made me feel supported and loved.
Q: What’s one thing you wish your professors and/or peers understood about being a parenting student?
A: I wish that they could experience the same thing and know what it’s like to have a child of their own. I really don’t want my child to be an excuse for my responsibilities at school, but I do hope that others will be able to relate to the situation.
Q: What changes would you like to see on campus that would help parenting students thrive at your institution?
A: Having more resources like child care services, programs that are less strict on deadlines, and more at-your-own-pace classes would be really appreciated.
Q: What do you hope your child will gain or learn from your experiences?
A: I hope that my child will understand that we reap what we sow. And being diligent and hardworking is a must-have trait in life.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to other parents who are considering enrolling in college for the first time?
A: Having a college degree is an ace up your sleeve in career opportunities, one that could potentially lead you to better jobs and higher pay that your family will benefit from. So continue aiming for a better life and a better version of yourself as an example for your child/children. It’s not guaranteed that it will easy, but it will be worth it.
