Silvia Menchaca
Major: Social Work – Magna Cum Laude, Spanish Minor with Biliterate Certificate
Campus Activities and Achievements: Phi Alpha Honor Society, Sigma Alpha Pi Honor Society, Sigma Delta Pi Honor Society, Worden Social Work Organization, IGNITE Fellowship, Dean’s List, the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.

Impact of OLLU: OLLU definitely has been life-changing. I now have a better understanding of myself, my goals, and my skills. I have grown into a stronger woman. I found in OLLU the opportunity to continue an education that I thought was out of reach, but I was able to receive several scholarships and grants that helped me get through this journey with peace of mind. And the caring environment that I found provided me the empowerment to push myself to the end. Knowing that I am finishing an education with a strong foundation makes me ready to enter the workforce with appropriate values and professional capacity.

An important life lesson: I can accomplish any challenge if I believe in myself. Education is endless, but we need to apply knowledge with a goal in mind, a positive attitude and consistent habits. Adlai Stevenson provided us with a quote that describes very well this second round in life that I am experiencing, “it is not the years in your life but the life in your years that counts.”

Plans for the future: For a Social Work major, a bachelor’s degree is just the beginning of the journey. But I am confident that, with the great foundation I’ve received from OLLU, I can move forward to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a concentration in aging that will enable my long-term project to manage my own senior assisted living center. Also, the skills I obtained through my minor in Spanish and my biliterate certificate will be valuable as I focus on the Hispanic senior population. After graduation, I will pursue an online master’s degree program with a concentration in aging at the University of Texas at Arlington.