Roxana Garcia
A Waubonsee Community College student has been selected for an international project to study climate variability in Europe.
Roxana Garcia, of Plano, was selected to participate in the International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) Program. This program is run by the National Science Foundation. The research will happen this summer in the country of Estonia in northern Europe. Garcia will travel with a student from Triton College in River Grove, two graduate students from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and one K-12 science teacher from the Chicago area.
“I am beyond thrilled and feel very lucky to be only one of two undergrads chosen for this opportunity,” said Garcia.
Garcia is a first-generation college student; both of her parents were born in Mexico and moved to America as adults. Having graduated from high school in 2003, she is a non-traditional student with a full-time job and full-time family responsibilities. Rather than seeing this as an obstacle, Garcia sees it as a strength.
“Although I am getting a late start at a degree, I am proud of myself for pursuing my dreams and honestly I feel that my age gives me an advantage because of my level of maturity and dedication,” Garcia wrote in her essay for the IRES Program.
