CECILIA GRADILLA-MAGANA

I am a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants born in Chicago Illinois, October 24, 1996. At the age of 9, my family and I moved to Mexico. In summer 2015, I graduated high school and moved to California to continue my studies and pursue a career. The transition of moving back to the US was challenging, I had to improve my English and was about to start college, while trying to adapt to a new lifestyle. I started San Joaquin Delta College in the Fall of 2015 with an undeclared major. Because I had to pay for ‘out of state tuition’ out of pocket, I decided to take a break from school the following semester since I did not have the money to pay for the requested fees. I was not aware of any programs or financial aid at the time, so my education had to be put on hold.

In Fall of 2016, I had been residing in California for at least one year so I did not have to pay out of state fees and was able to qualify for financial aid. Also, I was informed about the EOPS/CARE program and all the benefits and great services they offered. Applying was the best decision, EOPS helped me grow in many aspects of my life. I was able to afford to go back to school and find my career path. In 2019, I graduated Delta College with honorable mention obtaining two degrees; Mathematics and Science AS, and Arts, Hum & Soc Sci AA. I transferred to CSU Stanislaus in Spring 2020 as a psychology major. I decided psychology influenced by the amazing faculty and staff at EOPS/CARE who taught me that we can help others in many ways. I aspire to become a school counselor, I envision myself helping guide students towards achieving their educational goals, just like my counselors in the EOPS program guided me.