When psychology student, Denis Ibarra, found himself with a so-called empty nest, he did not feel it was time to slow down. In fact, quite the opposite. It was at age 54, after seeing two children off to college, that he decided it was time to earn his own undergraduate degree. Speaking minimal English and unsure of what he wanted to study, he enrolled at Montgomery College (MC). Two years later, he has earned a 4.0 grade point average, received several academic accolades, and is moving fluently toward a career in neuroscience research. Denis recently sat down with USG to talk about the work behind his success and the future in front of him.
DI: I wanted to prove to myself, to my family, and to everyone that I could do it – and that anyone can do it. I wanted to be an example of success in my Hispanic community. At first I was unsure of myself because I was not a traditional student and English is not my first language. But I figured out that if I worked hard, I could achieve my goals.
DI: Of course it has been hard – but I think college is challenging for everyone, no matter your age or your background. Early on I realized that I liked science and mathematics, but that it was going to take me longer to complete my assignments than it was going to take my younger classmates and my classmates who are native English speakers. But I worked the extra hours, I received tutoring, and it paid off.
Eventually I earned a place on the dean’s list at MC and at UMBC. I was selected as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honors society while at MC and even became a tutor in math and statistics. I have recently been invited to join the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and am proud to say I currently have a 4.0 grade point average.
DI: I am honored. I am showing that Hispanic students and nontraditional students can succeed in technical subjects. I scanned the award and sent it by email to my children and some of my family members in Nicaragua. My children were so impressed. Now they are starting competitions with me to see who can get better grades!
DI: I am proud to be a student here. I was offered scholarship money to several universities. But UMBC at USG was a better fit for me. The classes are small and the campus is convenient. I get along with all of my classmates – they accept me and have supported me and I admire them greatly.
The Center for Academic Success has been a huge help to me. Because English is my second language, writing has been the hardest part about being a student. The staff in CAS did not just fix my mistakes, they took the time to teach me. And it has really made a difference.
DI: I will pursue a Ph.D. and I want to focus my research on the adolescent population and the developmental years. There are so many possibilities in neuroscience, and science advances so quickly. Some people might think it is too late for me to be getting started on my research career, but I am not afraid of that. The only thing I am afraid of is to ever stop learning.