Carolina Vasquez Is Wired for Success
Six years ago, Carolina Vasquez arrived in the United States from Guatemala, speaking little English and knowing little about how to navigate the American higher education system. Today, the Montgomery Blair High School graduate is preparing for a future in neuroscience and research.
“Just try to do things even if you’re scared,” she said. “Even if it’s not clear at the beginning, you will learn, and you will get better.” That mindset has guided Carolina from adapting to life in a new country to pursuing her dream of a college degree and a meaningful career.
As the first person in her family to attend college, Carolina quickly discovered that navigating higher education came with challenges. “I didn’t have a lot of information about how college works,” she said. “It was kind of hard at the beginning to understand all of the requirements.”
After initially enrolling in credit-bearing courses at Montgomery College, Carolina realized she needed to improve her academic English skills to reach her long-term goals. She stepped away from school and worked full time at her sister’s nail salon before finding her way back to the College.
A chance meeting with Luis Villa, a community engagement specialist at the College, proved pivotal. While visiting the campus library, Carolina shared her desire to continue her education. Villa introduced her to Montgomery College’s English Language for Academic Purposes (ELAP) program and helped her enroll. He also encouraged her to apply for scholarships.
More than $1,700 in support from the Montgomery College Foundation General Scholarship Fund made it possible for Carolina to take that next step. While continuing to work, she was able to reduce her hours and focus on her studies.
That act of kindness created an opportunity for Carolina to return to the classroom and continue working toward her long-term goal of studying neuroscience. Through the ELAP program, she has strengthened both her language skills and her confidence. She credits her instructors, Dr. Angela Nissing and Professor David Lott, with helping her overcome the anxiety she once felt about reading, writing, and speaking English. Today, Carolina participates actively in class discussions, asks questions without hesitation, and continues building the skills needed for credit-level coursework.
Fascinated by how the brain works, Carolina hopes to build a career studying the complexities of human behavior and cognition. Her interest grew from observing people around her, including a cousin who struggles with learning and understanding concepts that come more easily to others. “I’m interested in how the brain functions,” she said. “Why is it different for different people?” Those questions continue to motivate her as she explores future opportunities in research and scientific discovery.
For Carolina, learning English is about far more than mastering a language. It is the foundation for a future devoted to helping others. She is driven by the curiosity that first inspired her educational journey—and by the possibilities that await.