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Vanessa
Vanessa graduated from Central Arizona College with an AAS in Nursing in May 2020. With two immigrant parents, Vanessa was a first-generation college graduate and English is her second language. Vanessa was involved in student leadership in the STEM program at Central Arizona College and enjoyed being actively involved on campus. Vanessa wrote to Positive Paths saying "I received a beautiful card in the mail from the whole Positive Paths team, and it brought tears to my eyes. So thankful for this organization. I hope to one day be able to give back to Positive Paths. I have decided to continue my education at Grand Canyon University and started classes on June 1st. I hope to finish my BSN by May 2021 and start my career in the nursing field soon!"
Berenice
Congratulations to Positive Paths alumna Berenice who earned a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in Business Law in 2020. During 2021-22, Berenice spent several months in Mexico City working for a multinational corporation with her Fulbright Garcia Robles cohort. “I am so grateful to have the experience of living in Mexico City thanks to the Fulbright program and organizations like Positive Paths that supported me during the application process.” Berenice is a talented woman and we can’t wait to see where she goes in her career.
Alexandra
Congratulations to Positive Paths alumna Alexandra who earned an Associate of Science in Nursing from Scottsdale Community College. She started a new nursing position the following August. She is passionate about advocating on behalf of patients, particularly in underserved populations. Alexandra started with Positive Paths in 2016 and struggled with raising her son as a single mother. We are so proud of how far she has come!
Alisa
Alisa Zoccoli is a returning student after being a stay-at-home mother of six sons for the past 26 years. She and her husband, her high school sweetheart, just celebrated their 30-year wedding anniversary. Becoming a nurse was Alisa’s childhood dream, yet due to early childhood trauma and sexual abuse, she lacked confidence, direction, and motivation to complete her education. She suffered from anxiety and depression, leading to dropping out of classes, and eventually from college altogether. On her Positive Paths application, she said “Now it is comeback time. I can no longer allow what happened to me to define me. After many years and much personal growth, it is time to pursue my dream, to show my sons and the world the value of overcoming, of hard work, discipline, persistence, and dedication.”
Alisa graduated in May from Chandler-Gilbert Community College with an AAS in Nursing. She has been dual enrolled in a concurrent program for the past two years through Arizona State University and graduated in December 2021 summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
The Positive Paths scholarship program has provided relief for the family’s finances, allowing Alisa to focus on her program and family needs. Alisa is also grateful for her Positive Paths mentor Diana, who has continuously offered guidance and inspiration, and is always available for questions and concerns.
Accountability
Our goal is to keep our community well-informed about who we are serving and the progress we are making.
