Compassion, Connection, and Commitment: Student Spotlight on Andrea Montoya
Written by: Pate Jessop
Andrea is pursuing a career in healthcare. Drawn to the deep connection that healthcare workers form with their patients, she looks forward to connecting with her own patients in the future. Although Andrea is just beginning her journey, the amazing progress she has made is a testament to her deep commitment to achieving her goals.
Andrea joined the Reach Foundation the summer before her senior year of high school at the urging of her counselor. She was impressed by the Foundation’s commitment to support “not just one specific group of people, but a whole community [of first-generation college students]” through mentorship. Andrea has taken full advantage of her mentor and shares, “If I ever have any problems . . . or questions about college Reema [her mentor] is someone I can rely on.” With the help of her mentor, Andrea was accepted to several colleges and ultimately chose Evergreen Community College. She plans to complete her nursing prerequisites there and then transfer to a 4-year university to finish her degree.
Andrea’s interest in a career in healthcare began a few years ago, when she experienced some serious health issues that forced her to stay in the hospital for several months. During this time, she reflected on the bonds she and her family had formed with her nurses. Andrea shared an experience when she had a particularly hard day, feeling “really sad being there because [she] was missing out on [her] school life and [her] nurses understood that.” Seeing this, her nurses brought in nail polish to have a spa day to cheer her up. Simple experiences like this helped Andrea feel seen and were bright spots in an otherwise difficult situation. Their kindness, support, and care inspired her desire to become a nurse herself.
Another reason Andrea wants to pursue a career in healthcare is to increase the representation of Hispanic practitioners in our country's healthcare workforce. Andrea believes that diverse workforces can more effectively serve diverse patient groups. She plans to use her Spanish language skills and life experiences to better connect with her future patients and their families.
Although many elements of Andrea’s story are unique, the Reach Foundation has worked with hundreds of first-generation college students who, like Andrea, are committed to obtaining their college degree. Federal education data shows that first-generation college students have a 92% higher chance of dropping out, than students whose parents have bachelor’s degrees. Mentorship can help bridge this gap. These students have the intelligence, drive, and resilience necessary to succeed in college and professionally but may struggle to navigate this new phase of life without a mentor.
Please consider donating or volunteering your time as a mentor. Together, we can empower first-generation college students like Andrea, to further their education and set them up for a lifetime of success.