How a Non-Traditional Student ‘Defeated the Odds’

Sieberg: The enrollment of nontraditional students, often found in community colleges, is on the rise. In the fall of 2023, there was a 2.6% increase, the highest growth among all degree programs in higher education. However, these students face unique barriers, many never making it to graduation day. Hello, I'm Daniel Sieberg, and you're watching "Getting Connected," powered by Comcast Newsmakers. Joining me now is Atheena Martinez. She's on the National Skills Coalition Student Advisory Council, and is a student at Pima Community College in Arizona. Atheena, thank you so much for being here.

Martinez: Thank you for having me.

Sieberg: We would love to hear, first of all, your story. How did you end up at Pima College?

Martinez: I was in the prison system. Being a high school dropout, I didn't feel like I was able to get my GED or have any means to get it. I ended up seeing a news broadcast on TV which was really astounding and amazing because there was a student that was talking — his story that was just like mine. And it said "Make someday today," and I felt like I could really do something like that. So I ended up signing up for GED classes literally the next day after watching it. And after that, they continued to contact me, and I ended up going into an IBEST program, which is Integrated Basic Education Skills Training. And I ended up taking a type of trade school, so I'm in building and construction technologies and electrical, and I'll be getting my associate's.

Sieberg: And how did Pima College work with you in this nontraditional way, particularly during the pandemic?

Martinez: They helped guide me with resources. They helped me find ways to use workforce development funds to help me pay for my classes, so my GED wasn't — I actually didn't have to pay for any of my classes. They paid for them. So, I had a program out there calledOne Stop, which is workforce readiness out there in Pima County, and they helped me pay for all of my GED classes, and then they also helped me pay my first year of tuition, just because I hadn't achieved my GED just quite yet. And after that, I continued on at Pima, and now I'll be getting my associate's.

Sieberg: And how difficult was it to stay connected or have access to the technology that you needed?

Martinez: It was very near impossible. I was using my cell phone for part of my experience, which is very hard to do and navigate with because you can't take certain tests on your phone. You need, like, LockDown Browsers and all this weird stuff, and I just couldn't get that on my cell phone. Eventually, I ended up reaching back out to Pima, and that's when they told me of a resource that I could check out a laptop. I feel like that's something that more colleges and more places need to do, is allow that to be an option for students, because I feel that's why we don't have enough success stories, is because of this digital divide we're having right now.

Sieberg: So, tell us, what's next for you, and how differently do you think about your future now, on the other side of this experience?

Martinez: So, next for me, I'll be going to NAU, which is Northern Arizona University, pursuing my bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. I feel like, right now, this resonates with me on a totally different level. I would have never thought I would be here ten years ago. Always getting told, like, "You'll never be anything," "You're never going to achieve this," and now to be here achieving these great things and being in D.C., after all this time, it's just so amazing. I never thought of myself at this level being able to advocate using my voice to help better the community college levels, or just college students in general. Being able to speak up for them when they don't have a voice for yourself. I truly am proud of myself. I love the fact that my kids are looking up to me. Both of my sons are actually attending Pima Community College as we speak. They both graduated early at 17 years old. And my brother is actually following in my footsteps, as well, and this is my eldest brother. And I'm just so happy, and I'm proud of it. And I love the fact that I see my son and my daughter walking around with my cap and gown right now and just running around the house and they play around. It's just amazing to me that this is something that I've accomplished, and I've defeated the odds.

Sieberg: Thank you so much for sharing your inspirational story. Atheena Martinez, we appreciate you being with us.

Martinez: Thank you.

Sieberg: And thanks to you, as well, for watching. For more conversations about digital equity and broadband expansion, visit GettingConnected.com. I'm Daniel Sieberg.