Denisse’s high school counselor suggested she attend a community college, especially since she had just arrived to the United States and would need to learn English to get around. The two biggest selling points were "affordable and small classes."
Upon reflection, two influential people come to mind for Denisse. Firstly, “Marianne Roccaforte-Gardner - I changed my major so many times and yet, she never let me settle for anything ordinary. She knew I was different than others and she was incredibly great at encouraging me to draw outside the lines even when it was uncomfortable. She knew my potential even when I didn't.” Secondly, “Catherine Mendoza - As a counselor she was incredibly encouraging and caring. We shared a passion for travel and culture and even when I was all over the place, she always managed to keep me straight and focused on whatever the next step was.”
When asked about her most positive memory of attending PVCC, Denisse shared, “I actually loved being a part of the Student Leadership Council and MECHA - I had the opportunity to meet so many people, experience so many different things, and in general, made me feel like I belonged.”
Speaking of a sense of belonging, Denisse recalls her Physics class. They had quizzes every Friday, “which made it easy for me to decide to skip classes for the rest of the week. After all, I got an A+ on every quiz so I figured the professor would not even notice; especially if my grades were good. Little did I know, I would end up in her office having a conversation about why I was missing classes. I was very touched that a professor would take the time to check on me and my absences despite the fact that I was passing the class. I knew she wasn't the only one that shared that level of care and concern for students; it was in fact across the entire PVCC community.”
Denisse’s Career Exploration course with Dr. Roccaforte-Gardner had a profound impact on her, “especially because, for the first time, I felt like I wasn't pushed to fit in a box and rather encouraged to push the boundaries. Even after my class with her, she always asked me about the next stepping stone. Once I graduated, she questioned me about when I was going to do my masters next. It took me about 8-9 years after my undergrad, but she never stopped pushing me to go further. Finally, in 2018, I completed my master's in Integrated Marketing and Communications, and everything she said about the experience was accurate. I almost wished I had done it earlier! I’m thankful to have someone that reminds you to not settle for less than what you are capable.”
“PVCC is an incredible stepping stone into college life. The small class size, and the level of care by the professors, it’s almost like having training wheels or a floaty as you enter into college versus being pushed into the ocean with no prior swimming experience. The community is great because of not only the care of instructors and staff, but also because of the caliber of quality of education you get.”
When asked if she would recommend PVCC to others, Denisse says, “Absolutely! In many ways, it was there where I learned English, and it was also there where I made friends that later became family. For someone coming from another country and almost no blood family around, this is a big deal. I always felt safe there. I actually remember times when I would much rather be at PVCC than having to go home."
Denisse went on to share, “If it would have not been for PVCC and the small campus feel, the caring professors and staff, I actually think I may have gotten lost in my journey and my parents may have wasted thousands of dollars on my education. The truth is, while I never understood why I had to take some classes to fulfill my general requirements, it wasn't until later that I realized how everything connects. I think the biggest outcome was that during my time at PVCC I was challenged to think critically about how to better solve problems and that alone, no matter what tools you use, often has the greatest impact on employee performance. Knowing how to think critically and solve problems is what a lot of companies look for in potential candidates.”
After completing her undergraduate degree, Denisse served in AmeriCorps. She has held a variety of positions that utilized her creative talents: Communications, Design and Creative Director. Denisse is currently Product Learning Experience Designer at American Express.