Tania Moreira

When I decided to return to school and visited San Diego Miramar College, I felt that here I would be able to accomplish my Associate's degree in Criminal Justice. From my first visit, they always encouraged me to pursue my dreams and transmitted a lot of motivation.
 

Miramar College has been instrumental in my journey to accomplish my Associate's degree in Criminal Justice, despite facing numerous challenges. Since coming to the USA 20 years ago, I have dealt with being a single mom, enduring domestic violence, and almost becoming homeless due to language barriers. However, Miramar College has consistently encouraged me to pursue my dreams, providing motivation and emotional support.  Their programs, such as EOPS, CARE, and CalWORKs, have been invaluable. These programs provided me with gas cards to get to and from school, school supplies, and assistance with my books. They also organized beautiful Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations for families, offering food, gifts, and crafts. The CalWORKs program has been particularly helpful, allowing me to study and work simultaneously, with my employment counting as work-study under financial aid.  Thanks to Miramar College, I have been able to overcome significant obstacles and continue my education successfully.
 

Without the guidance and motivation I received, I wouldn't be where I am today. My favorite memory from my time at Miramar College is the support and encouragement I received from all the people I met through various programs. The staff from CalWORKs, Financial Aid, the Transfer Center, and my mentors played crucial roles in my success. Additionally, having the opportunity to engage with great leaders like President Wes and VP Adrian at various events has been incredibly inspiring. Their support has been instrumental throughout my academic journey.
 

My advice for fellow Miramar students is to never give up, no matter how difficult your situation may be. After struggling for many years to support my kids, I learned the importance of being a role model. Show your loved ones that no matter how tough things get, with strength and determination, you can achieve your dreams.  Pursuing your dreams helps you overcome challenges and everyday obstacles. It might take time to accomplish all your goals, but persistence is key. With the support I received at Miramar, I transformed from someone who struggled to someone who is proud of being a single mother who never gave up, even during the hardest times.  Remember, if one key doesn’t open the door, keep pushing. Let the mentors, professionals, and teachers at Miramar guide you. They have the tools to encourage, inspire, and motivate you. They can also help you find the right programs, especially if you are facing financial struggles or come from a low-income background. I arrived at this college with very limited English skills, few resources, and little motivation. To my surprise, I have achieved my Associate's degree in Criminal Justice and many other things that have made me a stronger person with the confidence to believe I can achieve any dream. Stay strong and keep moving forward.!!!