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Ismael Raul Villa, a first-generation college student, recently transferred to The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) to study mechanical engineering and is set to earn his associate degree from Collin College in May 2025.

维拉的教育历程证明了韧性和努力工作的力量。 Like many students who had to overcome obstacles during the COVID-19 pandemic, Villa faced an uncertain future. “我必须迅速适应，”他说。 “We were in unprecedented times, and all my plans for a traditional college experience were turned upside down.”

Determined to keep moving forward despite the circumstances, Villa decided to take a bold step by enrolling at UT Dallas and taking on a challenging 18 credit hours during his first semester. However, it didn’t take long for him to realize the weight of that decision.

维拉说：“老实说，这让我不知所措。 “I thought I had to push myself that hard to prove I could do it, but what I learned is that sometimes you need to take a step back and make sure you’re balancing your workload, especially when the world is going through a pandemic.”

Facing the challenge, Villa realized that determination alone was not enough, and he had to develop new strategies to succeed, such as time management and reaching out for help when necessary. He credits his family’s unwavering support and his drive to be a role model for other first-generation students as motivating factors. Villa’s story reflects the broader challenges that first-generation students often encounter.

“最困难的部分是没有人可以指导我，”维拉解释说。 “I couldn’t ask my parents for advice about college courses or how to navigate transferring schools. I had to figure it all out on my own, which was tough but also empowering in a way, and I have the people at Collin College to thank.”

尽管面临这些挑战，维拉还是蓬勃发展。 His experiences at both Collin College and UT Dallas have shaped his approach to education.

“我的教授和顾问一直非常支持我。 They helped me see that it’s okay to ask for help. That’s something I struggled with early on because I felt like I had to do everything myself,” he said.

In addition to his academic achievements, Villa worked as a part-time student at Collin College earning money to pay for books, parking stickers, food, and gas while simultaneously earning his education. This allowed him to establish a work-life balance while getting an education.

“我想向其他第一代学生展示这是可能的，”维拉说。 “You don’t have to have all the answers when you start. What matters is that you keep going, no matter how many times you stumble.”

As Villa prepares to graduate from Collin College and continue his education at UT Dallas, he remains focused on his long-term goal of becoming a mechanical engineer. “我想创造一些持久的东西，”他补充说。 “Whether it’s designing machines or mentoring the next generation, I want to leave a legacy behind.”

Villa’s journey serves as an inspiration for students who face obstacles in their pursuit of higher education. His story is one of perseverance, reminding us that even in the face of uncertainty, hard work and determination can lead to success.

To learn more about the Department of Engineering, Computer Science, and Engineering Technology at Collin College, visit www.bc-jinsha.com/department/engineering.

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