Elizabeth Ramirez didn’t learn to speak English until she was 10 years old, but she was determined to learn the language and do well in school. In high school, she was enrolled in Advanced Placement and honors classes, and now is a member of the Honors Program at Moraine Valley, plus she was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa.

Elizabeth was one of 400 students from across the country selected to attend the October 2017 Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ annual conference in San Diego.

When the full-time student is not in class, she is working in the Multicultural Student Affairs office or at one of two fast-food restaurants. She plans to transfer to DePaul University through the DePaul Admission Partnership Program in collaboration with Moraine Valley.

“I am the first in my family to attend college,” Elizabeth said. “My parents are so proud.”