After giving birth to her daughter at a young age, Adriana Calderon shelved her dream to become a nurse.

Before she entered motherhood, for a few months she was enrolled in a computer class and started her GED preparation at Taller San Jose Hope Builders, a social service organization, where she was introduced to Santa Ana College’s Centennial Education Center.

One Saturday morning she decided to bravely walk into the campus, enrolled in some GED courses and began her educational journey.

Unexpectedly, she became unemployed in 2024 after 20 years building a career to become a dental office manager.

As Calderon was left with downtime when her daughter grew up, she knew she wanted to invest in continuing education again.

Fueled with determination to reset her educational path, she empowered herself to move forward.

“With the support of my husband, I returned to Santa Ana College’s School of Continuing Education to start my journey toward a GED, which eventually led me to pursue my high school diploma and an AA degree in medical administration to bridge the gap toward my nursing dream,” Calderon said.

Enrolling in an “Employability Skills” class taught by Veronica Castaneda, assistant professor of Career Education, became a pivotal moment to not just attain her accounting certificate.

“She was the one who saw my ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ and pushed me to go further,” Calderon said. “She recognized my resilience and gave me the confidence to switch from the GED track to a high school diploma and college-level courses.”

“I am proud of her and I know she has what it takes to continue on to bigger and better things,” Professor Castaneda said.

Stephanie Garcia, a former counselor, also helped Calderon’s dream come to fruition.

“She was the first person who truly listened to my goals and believed that I could handle a heavy course load,” Calderon said. “I am reaching my goals faster than I ever thought possible because she provided me with the right academic plan and believed in me.”

Calderon earned her accounting certificate at Santa Ana College last spring. Now, she is on 
track to finish the required credits for her high school diploma in March 2026 before her 
graduation ceremony in June. In two years, she will achieve her AA degree in medical 
administration.

“Don’t let the ‘years passed’ discourage you,” she advised incoming students. “I am proof that it 
is never too late to start and be your own advocate.”

She encourages students who don’t feel challenged enough in their course load to voice their 
concerns as she was able to successfully manage eight classes because she understood her 
strength.  

Calderon recalled a stinging moment in the past when she curiously asked a former ESL 
teacher if she could read a college-level book. The teacher told her to not worry about it 
because Calderon may not understand it.  

“I am continuing my education for myself, to unveil my full potential and to make my family 
proud,” she said. “I constantly remember her words and I am sure that one day I will show her 
my diploma with respect.”

Above all, cultivating a robust circle of morale boosters including family members, professors or 
counselors are crucial for success.

“Surround yourself with a strong support system like my husband and daughter who have been 
there for me and remember that you are more resilient than you think,” she said.