Pursuing the opportunity to make a difference

For Jocelyn Gloria, starting college at just 18-years-old felt intimidating, but after joining several student clubs and becoming a work-study employee on campus, she has quickly found her place. 

Gloria is currently pursuing an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice at South Texas College, a field she said she chose because she wants to make a difference in her community. 

“I decided on Criminal Justice because there is so much happening in the world with no justice,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to help and be part of solving those problems.” 

With the goal of becoming an investigator, her interest in investigations began in high school, where she discovered she enjoyed analyzing cases and learning how crimes are solved. 

This fall marked her first semester in college, and Gloria said STC has already played a key role in helping her adjust. She is involved in multiple clubs, including the Criminal Justice Club and the Student Government Association (SGA) and works on campus as a work-study employee. 

“At first, I thought it would be hard to make friends,” she said. “But joining clubs helped me a lot. I met people quickly and it made college feel less scary.” 

Gloria also praised the support she receives from instructors and tutoring services. 

“The tutors help me so much, especially with English essays. It’s good that STC provides all these helpful recourses,” she said. 

Being a full-time student and work-study employee keeps her busy, but she enjoys the balance. 

“It’s great that STC has these opportunities for students. I study here and work here, so everything is in one place,” she said. 

Gloria comes from a family of welders and is the only girl among four brothers. While her siblings pursued welding, she chose a different path, though she says she may still explore welding as a side skill through STC in the future. 

She credits staff members like Abdaly Avilez, a student activities specialist at the STC Pecan Campus, for guiding her during her first semester. 

“They’ve helped me a lot,” she said. “Meeting people like her really made an impact.” 

As she prepares for the spring semester, Gloria plans to continue as a full-time student and stay involved in student organizations. Her long-term goal is to build a career in the Criminal Justice field, where she can contribute to creating safer, stronger communities.