When Leticia Aguayo migrated from Mexico with her parents and five siblings, she never expected to attend a four-year university. Her father and older brothers worked day and night to support the family while Leticia and her two sisters attended school. Adjusting to a new language and culture and financial instability made Leticia’s transition to the United States difficult, but her father encouraged her to pursue an education so she could have a better life. Today, Leticia is a sophomore at CSU Channel Islands majoring in pre-nursing with a minor in psychology.

Leticia has had a part-time job in her hometown of Ventura since she was 14. Her passion for nursing and helping her community motivates her to spend as much time as she can volunteering at St. John’s Regional Medical Center as a clinical care extender, all while maintaining a 3.78 GPA.

Leticia plans to pursue a master’s degree in nursing and become a nurse practitioner, utilizing her bilingual abilities to give back to her hometown.