When Fort Lewis College alumna Marissa Molina (Political Science, ’14) moved from Mexico to Colorado as a child, she didn’t speak a word of English. What a remarkable journey it’s been that led to her being honored as a Champion of Change by the White House in July.
After becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree, Marissa served with Teach for America, an organization that helps connect teachers with at-risk students from low-income communities. Marissa also teaches Spanish for Native Speakers at the Denver High School of Science and Technology: Green Valley Ranch, and is completing a public policy fellowship with the Women’s Foundation of Colorado.
“When I came to Fort Lewis and El Centro [FLC’s Hispano resource center], I really learned to embrace my identity as a Hispanic student and as a native Spanish speaker,” Marissa said in a FLC story just before she graduated. “And that really helped me persevere as a first generation student.”
Fort Lewis College has served as a springboard for countless alumni to use their educations to make the world a better place. I often tell FLC employees and students to go out and do great things. I’m grateful for alumni like Marissa Molina who do just that.
Dene Thomas
President, Fort Lewis College