STC custodian discovers STC is a place of opportunity
Nora Dole is a custodian and student at South Texas College. She has big dreams for herself and family, and she said STC is making it all possible.
Born in Honduras with a vision and a dream of success, South Texas College Custodian and student Nora Lizette Dole had set out to achieve a law degree in her country, but a trip to the United States, changed her life forever.
Dole came to the United States alone to join her now husband of 17 years in Miami Beach, Florida, after meeting him during a trip to visit family.
“It was all a whirlwind; it happened so quickly – our relationship, but we knew we were meant for each other,” she said. “But to make this happen, I had to give up a lot in Honduras. And I was ready to do that.”
Moving to Florida meant leaving law school, leaving an employer that had mentored her and helped her reach managerial levels and for a short while, leaving her two children in Honduras.
“We worked hard to quickly reunite with them, there was no delay,” said Dole. “And now they’re excelling in college and in life as U.S. citizens. They have everything I always dreamed I could give them. I’m so proud of them.”
Although the 57-year-old has worked various jobs from sales, marketing and accounting to human resources and political campaign management, and found success, one thing was missing – a college degree.
“I needed a schedule that would allow me to go back to school, and STC gave me that. It’s been one class at a time, one day at a time, but I’m doing it. It’s been challenging getting some of my classes from Honduras transferred over here, but I believe in the process and the journey. It’s not easy, but it’s working out. I’m not giving up.”
So, when the recession hit Florida in 2008 and she and her husband were laid off, they had no choice, but to move to Texas, as recommended by family.
“My brother-in-law helped my husband get a job and I found work as a custodian at UTRGV (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) working until 3 a.m. and juggling another part-time job as a day care teacher,” she said. “This left no time for school, but my heart was telling me I needed to go back for me, for my kids, for my family.”
After eight years juggling two jobs that she said were leading her nowhere, she joined the STC family and found her way back into the classroom in 2017.
“I needed a schedule that would allow me to go back to school, and STC gave me that,” said Dole. “It’s been one class at a time, one day at a time, but I’m doing it. It’s been challenging getting some of my classes from Honduras transferred over here, but I believe in the process and the journey. It’s not easy, but it’s working out. I’m not giving up.”
Dole has already earned an associate degree in Criminal Justice to compliment her knowledge of law and is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership, which she is completing online, all while keeping STC clean and presentable for students, faculty, staff and visitors.
“I’m so grateful and thankful to STC for giving me this life-changing opportunity,” she said. “Everyone in my family has a college degree and now I do too.”
Today, Dole’s children are graduate students with careers at UTRGV, leading and directing teams.
“I think I’ve set a good example for them. Showing them that it’s never too late to get an education,” said Dole. “And I’m always advocating for STC. Wherever I go I tell people about all the opportunities and resources it has to offer. It gave me new opportunities and it can give others a chance at a better life too.”
Dole’s goal is to eventually move up within STC and become a leader for others; and with this success, she hopes to reunite with her mother and sister, who remain in Honduras, and bring them home.
“STC gave me work, gave me an education and a home,” she said. “The U.S. was a new beginning for me, a new start. And because of STC, I know that I’ll once again find success and new opportunities, hopefully here at STC.”