From caregiver to advocate

STC graduate is ready to make a difference

South Texas College graduate Aimee Pequeño said she is ready to make a lasting impact on the world, thanks to her transformative journey at STC. Taking shape as a passionate advocate, Pequeño recently graduated with her Associate Degree on December 15, now ready to jump into advocacy for vulnerable populations.

Born and raised in Weslaco, Pequeño said she was shaped by the sacrifices her parents made for her and her siblings. Watching her parents work tirelessly to make ends meet, she gained a deep understanding of the financial hardships many face. However, it wasn’t until her grandmother was diagnosed with cancer that Pequeño’s life took a pivotal turn.

“Growing up, my parents both worked hard to provide for my siblings and I. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized how much they struggled and how they could have greatly benefited from resources if they knew about them,” Pequeño stated. “The turning point for me was after high school. My grandmother’s health began to decline after a shocking cancer diagnosis. I have always been close to my grandparents because they both battled health issues. I wanted to be there for them so instead of going to college full-time, I became something like a caretaker for them.”

Graduating from World Scholars Academy in Edinburg in 2012, Pequeño knew she wanted to enter an impactful career and pursued a degree in nursing. After attempting to navigate her first year in college, Pequeño quickly realized that nursing was not the rift fit for her.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to study and I didn’t have time to think about it because of challenges in my personal life,” Pequeño explained. “I struggled with balancing student life and being a caregiver. There was a point in time where I even lost my financial aid because I was in a tough spot, but my heart was set on trying a career that helps others, so I chose nursing. Despite almost losing everything that I cared for because it all begin to feel out of my reach, I didn’t lose my drive for wanting to be helping a hand. I did some nursing classes, but quickly realized it wasn’t for me.”

Discouraged and struggling to find direction, Pequeño took a step back and eventually returned to school in 2016. She enrolled in social work classes and discovered her true passion for sociology and social justice.

“I started to get discouraged because time continued to pass and I found myself in the same place with no answer to my future, until I took a social work class. It all became so clear to me that this would be my calling,” Pequeño said. “I explored social work and sociology classes and I was inspired by the power that those disciplines have to make real change in people’s lives.”

Excited to explore this newly illuminated path, Pequeño dove into the Applied and Clinical Sociology program and fully embraced her new academic path. Her involvement in the college’s social work, sociology and psychology clubs, as well as the Student Leadership Academy and student government, deepened her commitment to being successful. Her efforts leading her to the acceptance of her scholarly research which explores students with housing insecurity at the Applied and Clinical Sociology 2024 conference.

“I started off as a lost student, just wanting to help others, but thanks to the guidance of professors like Jenny Chamberlain and Noel Ysasi, I realized how impactful being involved in school could be for shaping my professional and personal development,” Pequeño shared. “Through my academic cooperative course with Jenny Chamberlain, I worked on a research project focused on students experiencing housing insecurity, which resonated deeply with me.”

Bringing her full circle, Pequeño discovered parallels between her own upbringing and the struggles faced by many students today. She was surprised to learn about the extensive resources South Texas College offers to students in need, such as the food pantry and partnerships with local nonprofit organizations.

“I realized that students who struggle, especially those who take on caretaker roles like I did or have no resources at all, have access to help they just need someone to help them navigate the services available,” Pequeño said. “My dream is to be that person for others. I want to be their advocate, their safe refuge and the helping hand they need to get through difficult times, just like what I needed growing up.

Walking the commencement stage with a deep sense of clarity and purpose, Pequeño said it was her experiences and education at STC that have equipped her to continue her journey of social advocacy for vulnerable communities.

“I feel more certain than ever about my path. The professors at STC have empowered me and I hope to make them proud by continuing my education and fighting for those who need it most,” Pequeño expressed. “Without STC, none of this would have been possible and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to continue my studies and my story because the rest is still unwritten.”