LEAF’s College Success Advisor, Jazmin Dominguez, interviews a LEAF Parent

As LEAF’s College Success Advisor, I interviewed a LEAF Scholar parent, Maria Picazo. As a first-generation college student, it gave me great pleasure to speak to Maria and see her excitement in gaining the tools necessary to help her child on her journey into college.

Unfortunately, my parents did not have this opportunity as I transitioned from high school to college, so I am proud that LEAF provides their parents with these programs. 

Maria participated in the Parent Institute for Quality Education Parents to College program. The program provided the LEAF Scholars parents with various workshops that spoke in-depth about college and how a parent can best support their students as they transition from high school to college. Being part of the workshops was extremely helpful for Maria since she did not attend college, so her knowledge about higher education was minimal. 

Maria shared, “I learned that it is very important to support our children to continue their college education. If they don't have our support, they may not feel like going to college anymore.”

Maria spoke about not knowing what a loan was or how it worked. Luckily, the workshops also provided her with information about the different financial opportunities students get in college and the importance of filling out either the FAFSA or Dream ACT application. 

Maria found it helpful to know that her student will get stressed in college, and the support she provides will be crucial to help her daughter succeed in college. Being part of the Parents to College program helped Maria realize that college is not the same as high school. As her daughter prepares for this new journey into higher education, Maria has to prepare for the journey as well.