Meet Jordy Mendoza, a first-generation college graduate from Houston who has defied the odds and achieved academic and career success as a OneGoal alum.
Filter By |
Overcoming Barriers: Angelica’s Postsecondary Journey
By Monica Selagea & Angelica Moncada
August 27, 2024
Discover Angelica Moncada’s inspiring journey from a first-generation student to a master’s program in counseling. Learn how she overcame cultural, financial, and personal challenges with the support of OneGoal, and find out what advice she offers to students facing similar barriers.
A Dream College
and New Beginnings
Angelica Moncada, born and raised in Chicago, joined OneGoal during her junior year (2014 – 2015). As a first generation student, she celebrated her acceptance to her dream college choice, Southern Illinois University, SIU, in Carbondale, Illinois. And, after graduating high school in 2016, Angelica moved to Carbondale, ready to start her new educational career. Like many students, she struggled with homesickness, returning home whenever possible, either by train or a six-hour drive.
Challenges
of Transition
However, it was the cultural adjustment that was challenging. Coming from a city environment where she was often surrounded by people of similar backgrounds, she often found herself the only woman of color in a room, despite being what Angelica calls, “white-passing”. But that wasn’t the only barrier she faced. Angelica felt uneasy on campus. She recalls, “The cultural isolation was compounded by overt racism, exacerbated by the political climate of the time, including incidents like doctoral students engaging in blackface and confrontations involving racial slurs and derogatory comments.”
Colleges sometimes fail to support students effectively, especially for first-generation students who need it the most to overcome barriers. Getting in touch with someone can be a challenge, financial issues often overshadow academic concerns, and bureaucratic hurdles can delay everything from accessing records to enrolling in classes on time. Affordable housing is another hurdle, especially for those attending college away from home.
Angelica believes that there’s no preparation that truly equips you for life after high school. “Suddenly, you’re no longer a child, and every decision you make carries weight—either propelling you forward or veering you off course. It’s tough to stay motivated when your goals seem distant and unreachable.”
After only a year at SIU, she made the difficult decision to leave. Despite feeling a sense of shame about leaving a traditional university setting, she recognized that she needed to be home.
Overcoming Barriers:
Financial Struggles and Family Responsibilities
Beyond the cultural challenges, personal circumstances also played a role in Angelica’s decision. Her family was facing significant financial strain, exacerbated by health issues her mother was experiencing. The stress of these challenges became overwhelming, and the guilt of potentially not finishing her education weighed heavily on her. “I was grateful for the sacrifices my immigrant parents had made for my future to even be able to stay at SIU for the full year.” But the importance of continuing her education weighed heavily on her, so in the Fall of 2017, she transitioned to City Colleges of Chicago – Wilbur Wright.
Not only was she close to home, but she also had an opportunity to use the STAR Scholarship that was offered to her when she graduated high school. This scholarship relieved the stress of having to pay for tuition and school books. It also gave her the opportunity to live at home and support her family while studying and working part-time. “This shift allowed me to regain my academic footing and earn my associate degree, supported by the STAR scholarship.” Two years later, Angelica received her associate’s degree.
Persistence and Success:
From Associate’s Degree to Master’s Program
Angelica wasted no time and enrolled at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago and received her B.A. in Psychology in 2022. Today, Angelica is in a master’s program in counseling with a concentration in Latinx mental health. She expects to graduate in the summer of 2026. Like many OneGoal Fellows, Angelica faced several barriers, but those barriers only challenged her to continue moving forward.
“Throughout this journey, the resilience instilled in me by my family’s sacrifices and the determination to pursue an education that aligned with my interests kept me motivated. Despite initial doubts, I proved to myself and my family that I could overcome obstacles and achieve my educational goals. This experience has shaped my perspective on perseverance and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.”
The Role of OneGoal:
A Lifeline in the Postsecondary Journey
OneGoal’s three-year college and career readiness program—honed over 15 years—supports cohorts of students from high school through the first year of postsecondary, with proven life-changing results.
“OneGoal provided me with a profound insight into an entire field that initially seemed daunting and unfamiliar.” Angelica shared ”I vividly recall how my friends who weren’t part of OneGoal struggled with the intricacies of applying to college, including understanding the differences between schools and their respective offerings.”
One of the highlights of the OneGoal program is the opportunity for current college students to return and connect with their teachers from the program. For teachers this is always something they eagerly anticipate.
“OneGoal gave me a sense of security, knowing there was an organized support system ready to assist in any way needed.”
Advice for Students
From Angelica
Campus Tours
Angelica recalls, “Visiting colleges was another eye-opener. It’s surprising how many people don’t visit campuses until they’re actually starting their first year. I count myself among them — I didn’t visit my school until my very first day on campus. Looking back, I’m not sure why I did that!”
Financial Realities
She also notes, “Living expenses were another reality check. We were often told that the dining hall would suffice, but when you’re studying late into the night, snacks become essential. Sometimes, money was tight, and we found ourselves donating blood or taking on odd jobs around campus just to make ends meet.” Luckily, OneGoal prepared Angelica about school loans and how to assess her college fees. She learned who to contact when she didn’t understand a fee.
Curriculum
“Understanding where to apply for scholarships was invaluable. It helped me maintain a high GPA—I managed a 3.0 and earned the STAR scholarship as a result,” Angelica shares.
Explore Courses
She observes, “I think it would help if we encouraged students to explore classes outside the core curriculum—courses they’re genuinely interested in. Another issue is the lack of resources and awareness about what colleges offer. Networking is crucial, but not everyone knows how to navigate that landscape.”
A Journey of Resilience
and Determination
Angelica’s story is one of overcoming adversity through resilience, determination, and the support of programs like OneGoal. Her journey reflects the challenges many students face and the importance of support systems in achieving educational success.
Monica Selagea grew up in Chicago and attended Columbia College in Chicago and DePaul University. She is currently a high school teacher in Chicago and a Program Director for OneGoal. She also teaches at the City Colleges of Chicago.
Related Stories
Join us as we delve into the extraordinary college journey of Lunessa, a tenacious OneGoal alum and current student at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. In this blog post, we examine the highs, lows, and transformative moments that have shaped Lunessa’s path, providing insights into the power of mentorships and resilience.
Ricardo Godinez’s postsecondary journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the impact of community support. Despite facing numerous challenges, including financial constraints and cultural adjustments, Ricardo’s commitment to his education never wavered.