Category: Healthcare
-
Rocio Martinez Villa
A few years ago, Rocio Martinez Villa had never heard of rehabilitation therapy – now, it’s her passion and future career. Rocio graduated from Lane Tech High School in 2008, then started working in restaurants. In 2012, she started taking a class at a time at Wright College – she wasn’t exactly sure what she…
-
India Walker
India Walker says she didn’t have the best grades in high school, but Malcolm X College gave her the chance to start over – and ended up putting her on a path to a career in social work. After graduating from Noble Street College Prep in 2010, she spent time at a college in Georgia,…
-
Naomi Esquivel
Naomi Esquivel always knew she had a passion for helping animals, but it wasn’t until a microbiology class at Malcolm X College that she saw more science-focused career possibilities. She decided she wanted to be a veterinarian, and to be able to make a difference. Born and raised in Little Village, Naomi graduated from Instituto…
-
Conor Parnell
Conor Parnell wanted a career that blended audio engineering and healthcare. Enter radiography. The 27 year old grew up in New York and headed to college after high school. But the school he was at—which specialized in audio engineering—closed down while he was there pursuing a bachelor’s degree. After that happened, he taught English in…
-
Terrance Wright
Terrance Wright has always been a natural fit as a personal trainer. When he was growing up in Pilsen, he was constantly playing sports. When he got to Chicago Hope Academy, it was no surprise that he excelled on the track and on the football field. And when it was time to attend college and…
-
Ivan Escobar
The skills Ivan Escobar learned at Malcolm X College as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and nursing student, then on the job in St. Anthony Hospital’s emergency room helped him jump into action, helping a gunshot victim on his way home from a family party. Ivan, who was driving with his son in his Humboldt…
-
Cynthia Rodriguez
Cynthia Rodriguez dreamed of becoming a Chicago Police Officer one day, following in her dad’s footsteps. As a part of the Chicago Police and Fire Academy after school program, she was able to learn first-hand about what all our emergency responders do while she was still in high school – which opened to her eyes…
-
Dionesha Bailey
Dionesha Bailey came to Malcolm X College from Chicago Woodlawn Campus High School, where she graduated in the top ten of her class. She was offered scholarships from four-year universities and colleges, but once she was awarded the Star Scholarship, she knew this was the path was going to take. She chose Malcolm X College…
-
Edison Weng
As a high school student at Perspectives Charter School, Edison Weng thought about one day becoming a photographer. However, once he saw the nurses who cared for residents at his grandfather’s nursing home, he realized that was the career path he wanted to take. He wanted to be able to help people, and becoming a…
-
Jonathan Torres
Jonathan Torres will complete his entire college education for free, but there was a time he didn’t think he would even go to college. Jonathan came to the U.S. from Mexico with his parents when he was just nine months old, and grew up on the South West Side of Chicago. He was getting good…