Alumna's path inspired by San Jac professors
Courtesy San Jacinto College
San Jacinto College graduate Jannell Robles is making her mark in the world of academia one essay at the time, beginning with a page in the winter issue of the Harvard Educational Review.
In her essay, Barriers to Success: A Narrative of One Latina Student's Struggles," Robles explores some of the challenges encountered throughout her undergraduate education and in Mexico while studying abroad.
She reflects on the internal contradictions faced as a first-generation Latina college student and on her as a participant in a 17-day anthropology field school in rural Mexico.
Robles credits much of her success to San Jacinto College anthropology professor Pamela Maack and sociology professor Tina Mougouris.
They inspired and encouraged me to pursue more than I ever imagined," said Robles, who attended SJC from 2005-2007 and has a bachelor's degree in anthropology from the University of North Texas.
Robles said such encouragement from her professors led her to apply for a 10-week intensive summer research program in Denton, Texas, prior to her time at UNT.
They told me that the National Science Foundation summer program was a once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity, and they were right," Robles said. The program changed my life."
Robles also turned to her SJC professors when she applied to the McNair Scholars Fellowship Program. Maack said all of Robles' professors were eager to write recommendation letters for their student.
I was privileged to have taught Jannell and I continue to be privileged in watching her grow both personally and academically," said Maack, who serves as the honors coordinator at the Central campus.
As they say, it takes a village to raise a child.' Here at San Jacinto College, we work hard to support our student's endeavors."
Robles plans to pursue a doctoral program in anthropology and continue her research related to the experience of Latinos to create positive social change for marginalized communities through scholarship, activism and community involvement.
