Congratulations to Emily Enrriquez, Natural Science
For Emily Enrriquez, the path to graduation has been anything but traditional—but it has been filled with resilience, growth, and triumph.
A Natural Science major at San Jac, Enrriquez first began her journey in 2015 as an Early College High School student. Now, nearly a decade later, she is preparing to walk the stage and embark on the next chapter of her academic career.
After completing her time at San Jac, Enrriquez will continue her education in the Clinical Laboratory Science program at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston.
Enrriquez passion for laboratory work was sparked during a Microbiology course with Dr. Maxine Lane, whose engaging and supportive teaching inspired Enrriquez to change her career path entirely. It was in the lab that Enrriquez realized where her true interests and talents lay.
Throughout her time at San Jac, Enrriquez encountered the typical challenges many students face, along with the added complexity of balancing life changes and moments of self-doubt. At times, she felt out of place among younger classmates.
However, witnessing the determination of fellow students from diverse backgrounds, including those juggling families and full-time jobs, helped her reframe her perspective. Instead of feeling discouraged by the length of her journey, Enrriquez grew proud of her resilience and persistence.
Enrriquez credits much of her success to the strong support system at San Jac, where students are offered assistance in every aspect of life—whether it's financial aid, childcare, mental health services, food security, or academic guidance. She believes that while community colleges are often underestimated, her experience proves that institutions like San Jac provide life-changing opportunities.
"Don't give up," says Enrriquez.
