Alvin College Student Finds Success in Late Start
Alvin College Student Finds Success in Late Start
Finding your way through high school is difficult enough as you learn to navigate the social aspects as well as determining what’s best for your future.
For Christopher DeLeon, he figured out what he wanted to do while attending Alvin High School but he got a late start. Once he learned he could earn an Associate’s Degree before finishing high school from Alvin College Dual Enrollment advisor Iris Hilliard, he became inspired.
“I asked if that was even an option for me being so late,” he said. “We worked to figure out what I would have to do. She told me it would be a lot of hard work.”
He was a junior in high school at the time and doing the work to complete the program was going to require making some ground. Most Dual Degree students begin taking courses as a freshman.
DeLeon was undeterred.
“I jumped right in,” DeLeon said laughing. “The hardest part was the summer after I made that decision. It was like I never left class.”
In addition to his courses at the high school, DeLeon also took courses at the college, online and through holiday mini-semesters.
“It was a culture shock,” he said. “I got used to it very fast.”
DeLeon finished his coursework and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in General Studies during the Alvin College Commencement ceremony on May 8.
Now that he’s finished, DeLeon said he wants to pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.
“I think that whole area of study is very interesting,” DeLeon said. “I like to set a blueprint of things I want to do but nothing is set in stone. I want to weigh all of my opportunities.”
Eventually he hopes to work in government affairs and possibly seek elected office.
“I want to get involved in the room where legislation is being written,” he said. “I like all of it and the element of working together to get it done.”
DeLeon volunteers in his community and feels the most important aspect of pursuing a job in government affairs and political science is public service, he said.
“People really are in need of service and people are also in need of serving as well,” DeLeon said. “I feel like if we can work together, things would go smoother.”
DeLeon recently talked about his experiences in front of the Alvin College Board of Regents and talked about the importance of the Dual Enrollment program and the opportunities it provides for students.
“The financial cost of college of cost has always been my biggest barrier,” he said. “I will never forget the pathways Alvin College cleared for me and the incredibly supportive environment that helped me succeed.”
To hear more about DeLeon’s journey at Alvin College, check out his interview with the Alvin College Podcast which is available wherever podcasts are found. You can also find episodes at www.alvincollege.edu/news/
Finding your way through high school is difficult enough as you learn to navigate the social aspects as well as determining what’s best for your future.
For Christopher DeLeon, he figured out what he wanted to do while attending Alvin High School but he got a late start. Once he learned he could earn an Associate’s Degree before finishing high school from Alvin College Dual Enrollment advisor Iris Hilliard, he became inspired.
“I asked if that was even an option for me being so late,” he said. “We worked to figure out what I would have to do. She told me it would be a lot of hard work.”
He was a junior in high school at the time and doing the work to complete the program was going to require making some ground. Most Dual Degree students begin taking courses as a freshman.
DeLeon was undeterred.
“I jumped right in,” DeLeon said laughing. “The hardest part was the summer after I made that decision. It was like I never left class.”
In addition to his courses at the high school, DeLeon also took courses at the college, online and through holiday mini-semesters.
“It was a culture shock,” he said. “I got used to it very fast.”
DeLeon finished his coursework and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in General Studies during the Alvin College Commencement ceremony on May 8.
Now that he’s finished, DeLeon said he wants to pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.
“I think that whole area of study is very interesting,” DeLeon said. “I like to set a blueprint of things I want to do but nothing is set in stone. I want to weigh all of my opportunities.”
Eventually he hopes to work in government affairs and possibly seek elected office.
“I want to get involved in the room where legislation is being written,” he said. “I like all of it and the element of working together to get it done.”
DeLeon volunteers in his community and feels the most important aspect of pursuing a job in government affairs and political science is public service, he said.
“People really are in need of service and people are also in need of serving as well,” DeLeon said. “I feel like if we can work together, things would go smoother.”
DeLeon recently talked about his experiences in front of the Alvin College Board of Regents and talked about the importance of the Dual Enrollment program and the opportunities it provides for students.
“The financial cost of college of cost has always been my biggest barrier,” he said. “I will never forget the pathways Alvin College cleared for me and the incredibly supportive environment that helped me succeed.”
To hear more about DeLeon’s journey at Alvin College, check out his interview with the Alvin College Podcast which is available wherever podcasts are found. You can also find episodes at www.alvincollege.edu/news/
