HCU alumna Yesenia Salazar never thought college was an option. The child of immigrants, her parents moved from Mexico to Houston shortly after her birth.
“Going to college was not something I ever thought would be an option for me. Growing up it was never discussed and no one else in my family attended college,” said Salazar, the oldest of five siblings.
With limited access to financial resources for college, Salazar was determined to make her dream of becoming a nurse a reality.
“Being a DACA recipient limited my options in regard to financial assistance, so I had to get a bit creative and be willing to work extremely hard to achieve this,” said Salazar.
She enrolled part-time at Houston Community College, juggling jobs as a nanny, dog walker and receptionist at a veterinary clinic to put herself through school. She also lived out of her car for several months but remained laser-focused on achieving her goals.
Earning an associate degree in 2021, Salazar’s determination and strong work ethic captured the attention of a generous benefactor who provided the financial support to enable her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at HCU.
Seeking a school with the best curriculum for nursing, small class sizes and the ability to form connections with classmates and professors, Salazar enrolled at HCU.
“I am still, to this day, in disbelief and ask myself what I did to deserve this person’s generosity. Their generosity not only changed my life, but it also changed the life of my whole family,” said Salazar.
At 30, although older than most transfer students, she completed her degree with a 4.0 GPA, making the sacrifice to delay her wedding plans to prioritize her studies. Now working as a registered nurse at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Pediatric Heart Intermediate Care Unit, Salazar credits her success to the clinical experiences and simulation labs at HCU that enabled her to apply what she learned in the classroom.
“This helped prepare me for my first job as an RN by giving me the opportunity to experience different situations and experiences that happen every day in a healthcare setting,” shared Salazar.
She commends faculty in the Linda Dunham School of Nursing for their dedication to students and for providing a strong sense of community and a positive learning environment, including Simulation Lab Director Blake Swanson for his ability to engage students in a fun and educational learning environment and Assistant Professor of Nursing Angela Willis for her passion for nursing and dedication to students.
Today, she considers it a privilege to care for children and their families as an RN and to see smiles on the faces of her patients.
As a first-generation college student, she has inspired her younger siblings who are now motivated to pursue their dreams. But she says she couldn’t have done it without support from her family, husband and a special friend who believed in and supported her throughout her journey when she doubted herself. Her father-in-law, William Thorne, describes her journey as “truly inspirational.”
“Yesenia truly embodies the adage that ‘We are not defined by adversity, but by how we respond to it.’ She is an inspiration as she continues her journey of service and achievement,” said Thorne.
The HCU alumna credits resilience, perseverance and the compassion of a generous benefactor for making her dream of a career in nursing a reality.
She hopes to pay it forward by helping guide and support others who are pursuing or starting a career in nursing.
“I will forever be thankful and appreciative of the gift and opportunity I was given,” said Salazar.