A Second Chance Academic Success Story

Santos Gutierrez knows a thing or two about college prep and success having worked at Lansing Community College as a high school recruiter, multicultural recruiter, customer relationship specialist and student success coach. Each position has helped him gain a deeper view into how to truly help students navigate college but no other experience has been as helpful as his very own second chance story.  Above, Gutierrez, president of Alsame (Advocates of Latino Student Achievement of Michigan Education), speaks at Alsame's High School Conference at Signaw Valley State University.

By: Santos Gutierrez 

I remember loading up the truck in the morning with a new type of excitement I hadn't felt before. I was the first in my family of five siblings to be accepted to go to college. I picked up my brother from work and we drove an hour and half to my new home, a dorm room on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. We moved my stuff inside and with a goodbye hug my brother drove off. Coming from a middle class family in Michigan, you'd think this was a typical scenario. But it wasn't. Not for me. I didn't have anyone to show me the ropes. Actually, looking back, I didn't know what I was doing. Fortunately, a seed was planted back then and thanks to the power of a second chance, I'm reaping the harvest on it and helping others.

Gutierrez celebrates graduating from Siena Hieghts University with a Bachelor's in Professional Communications wearing the Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. regalia. The Fraternity stoll is used to show the representation of the fraternal brotherhood membership.

 My reason for going back to college was because I was tired of living in poverty, and finally ready to stop letting
​my situation
​control my destiny.

What I have learned through my  journey ​is the value of
education and the importance of graduating.

(Photo credit: Kevin Fowler of Lansing Community College)

I love to help students understand what college is about and  provide them with the information that I didn’t get when I was in their same position.

The best decision I made before dropping out of college  was taking a leadership role with a Latino Student Association. I became a life-long brother in a fraternal organization called Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. (Mu Alpha Chapter of Eastern Michigan University). 

You see, I dropped out of college because I didn't realize the significance and importance of education back then. I looked at college as an optional path but not as an investment for my future. Truly, a big part of me dropping out is that I didn’t know my personal reason for being there, or my “Why.” Everyone will have a different reason or motivation to go to college. Whatever it is, the “Why” has to predetermined by you.

​My “Why” came  nine years later at the age of 31. I was working job after job and living from paycheck to paycheck. My reason for going back to college was because I was tired of living in poverty, and finally ready to stop letting my situation control my destiny.  
​
I started off at a local community college and from 2009 to 2011, I graduated with a general associate’s degree. I moved on to pursue a bachelor’s degree from Siena Heights University in 2014 in professional communications. But I didn't stop there. In the fall of 2015 I started my master’s program in Higher Adult Lifelong Education (HALE) higher education administration from Michigan State University and will graduate fall 2017. 
​
I was glad to have been given a second chance. But I still had no idea how to prepare for college as a returning adult. All these questions were in my head:  

• Who do I need to talk too?
• How do I start?
• What do I need to do as a non-traditional student?
• Where am I going to get the money?
• What’s financial aid?
• What do I want to study?
• How do scholarships work?
• What classes do I need to take? ​

What I have learned through my journey is the value of an education and the importance of graduating.  By receiving my degrees, I have found my purpose in life. College can be a very complicated process to understand at first, but once you understand how the higher education system works, it can be very powerful ... and we can all use it to our advantage.

Above, Gutierrez presents to the Michigan State University High School Equivalency Program for Migrant and Seasonal Farm workers on the common barriers that prevent Latinos students from enrolling or succeeding in college. 

That is why now as an Academic Student Success Coach, I am very passionate about helping students navigate through the college process.

I have developed a passion to help students succeed. I love to help students understand what college is about and provide them with the information that I didn't get when I was in their same position. 

Here are some tips to help any student (traditional or returning adult) with college preparation:

9th grade

• Do well in classes, grades are important your freshman year
• Get involved (clubs, sports, community events/activities, and volunteer)
• Leadership roles are important
• Time to build that scholarship resume
• Continue to research and have conversations about college
• Take advantage of Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses

10th grade

• Continue to take Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses
• Stay involved 
• Continue to research different types of colleges
• Job shadow/research your interest of study

11th grade

• Take the SAT/ACT’s
• Arrange campus visits to community college and universities
• Conduct scholarship research
• Stay involved
• Job shadow
• Attend local college fairs
• Look into dual enrollment or other early college credit options

12th grade

• Apply for scholarships early in the fall semester of your senior year in high school
• Apply for Financial Aid by Oct. 1st and complete application before March 1st of academic year
• Complete your campus visits
• Finish strong with your academics
• Pick the college that will give you the best offer financially
• Look into community colleges (There is nothing wrong with attending a community college for your first or second year)
• Graduate with a high school diploma or GED so you can be eligible for Financial Aid
• Research and understand what Financial Aid is
• Be a self-advocate, don’t be afraid to talk to professionals at the college/university
• Do not peer advise or self–advise

Non-traditional/Returning Adults 

• Plan 3 to 6 months ahead
• Decide what type of institution you want to attend, but pick at least three, a community college, university, or college of choice
• Research the program of study you plan to pursue at the college/university you want to attend
• Check for on campus non-traditional/returning adult scholarships
• Make appointment with an admissions rep/recruiter 
• Visit the campus, see what resources the institution has for adult/non-traditional students