MOHAVE COUNTY – What could have been a story of setbacks became a story of success. Despite facing significant personal and academic challenges, Monica Rodriguez Castillo remained focused on earning a degree and building a brighter future. Her journey reflects the power of resilience and serves as an inspiration to others pursuing their own educational dreams.
At a young age, Rodriguez Castillo faced many challenges. At 14 years old she lost her mother which is an experience that impacted her life. She didn’t finish high school because she had gotten pregnant and had to drop out to raise her children. All of these hurdles didn’t stop her from pursing a higher education.
Once her children were old enough she decided to go back to school to earn her high school equivalency diploma, also known as GED, from Mohave College. Rodriguez Castillo decided to then pursue her associate degree in education, and now she’s working on her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education.
“I knew Mohave College was the best choice for me because it was local and accessible,” she said. “I would attend classes on campus in the evening once my husband was home with the kids and then continue taking classes online.”
Rodriguez Castillo decided to pursue her degree in education because she started working at her children’s school assisting in the classroom. Since then her passion for education grew and has been in the education field for 14 years. She’s currently working at Anya itpak Elementary for the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe as a paraprofessional.
Balancing school, work and home can be challenging for many students, but Rodriguez Castillo is able to keep up with it all by staying organized, managing her time wisely and family support.
She said it can be challenging to balance and has felt overwhelmed at times but is able to stay determined and reminds herself why she started.
Rodriguez Castillo is a first-generation student, meaning she’s the first to attend a college or university in her family. She’s the youngest of ten siblings, and is proud to be the first to earn a college degree.
Her educational journey has shown her that it’s never too late to go back to school and earn a degree or certificate. Rodriguez Castillo would like to remind adult learners that age shouldn’t be a determining factor that prevents anyone from learning, growing and achieving their goals.
“You can start over, change directions, learn something new, and chase a dream you may have put on hold,” she said. “Age doesn’t define what you’re capable of accomplishing. Mohave College has shown me that with determination, hard work, and a little courage, anything is possible.”
Behind every success is a story worth telling. Students interested in sharing their educational journey, submit at Mohave.edu/Against-the-Odds, to help inspire others who may be facing similar challenges.
Those interested in the associate or bachelor degrees in education, visit Mohave.edu/Education. The College is currently enrolling students for fall semester classes. Those who are not yet students can take the first step at FutureBighorn.com, while returning students are encouraged to start at www.Mohave.edu/Admission.
