Experiences during our formative years, can have a significant impact on the way we navigate the journey to adulthood. Alumna Dulce Curry ’12, grew up hearing her mother often saying “échale ganas.” Her mother, a woman who worked hard sometimes making less than minimum wage, used this saying to encourage her daughter to work hard in school so she would not have to break her back for a good wage.
“I am an immigrant, who came to the states as a five-year-old. I grew up in the rough neighborhood of Pilsen in Chicago, Illinois. I knew education was my ticket out of poverty, and my ticket to potentially help my community, my people,” said Curry.
The journey
Initially, she was an education major when she enrolled in college. Life circumstances changed that vision. As the mom of a six-year-old, who was struggling in school with reading at that time, she realized that teaching was not her calling. Her social nature inspired her to get a degree in business with a minor in communication.
“While I knew I didn’t want to be a teacher, I knew education was something I was passionate about. I had an opportunity to work with the admissions department at Holy Cross College and loved the idea of outreach for Hispanic families navigating the world of higher education and helping high school kids make it to college. I took everything I learned in my internship and applied to my job as an enrollment coordinator at a local Catholic school,” notes Curry, who currently works at Holy Cross grade school in South Bend, Indiana, recruiting four-year-olds for the PreK program.
Memorable college moment
Religion did not carry a prominent place in her life growing up. Holy Cross College challenged her academically and opened up her spiritual world, a side she had never experienced before.
“I had never had any kind of religion class in my life – not even bible school. We grew up as cultural Catholics but were never taught much. I can sincerely say my Theology classes opened up my eyes to a life I didn’t even know I wanted. My professors were just such good humans. They opened up a world of hope, where success was not the career and busy calendar, but rather a vocation where God uses you (if you let Him) to do His work,” said Curry.
Future plans
Curry is happy with her career choice and appreciates the opportunity to use her education and skills to help future generations find success.
“I plan on staying where I’m at for a few years. My work is not yet done here,” said Curry.