Saint Joseph College’s ¡Adelante! Program
• English Translation of Featured Video Segment broadcast in Spanish on
Aqui Connecticut - Univision Channel 18
• View video: http://youtu.be/VNgEl8VmZAg
Male Host: Did you know that Saint Joseph College has a very good program on weekends for
Latino Adults? It is called ¡Adelante!
Woman Host: Yes - and it is never too late to study!
Male Host: Welcome to “Cuentamelo” (“Tell us”). Here we have Nelly Rojas Schwan and
Madeline Pérez who will tell us about this program which is ultra interesting! Nelly - tell us
about the program.
Nelly: Saint Joseph College has a program called Latino Community Practice and one of the
offerings is the ¡Adelante!, which is a program for Latino Adults, male and female, who want to
complete their college education. This program is part of the evening and weekend program, so
students take classes in the evenings and on weekends, which accommodates their work
schedule. ¡Adelante! consists of 12 credits - four classes that are applicable to any career. The
Weekend Program offers bachelor’s degrees in Social Work, Psychology, Accounting, and
Management. Very important - the cost of the Weekend Program is comparable and
competitive with state universities, so it is affordable and manageable for Latinos. The College
has made a special effort to make this program accessible to all.
Host: Again we want to stress the importance of education for you, but especially for our youth.
Host (turns to Madeline Pérez): Madeline, Why is this program important for the Latino
community?
Madeline: It is important because the curriculum focuses on four areas: language, culture,
professional development, and leadership. We work with a group of community volunteers
who form our Advisory Board that connects the community with the College. With their help
we can create a program focused on developing new Latino leaders in the community.
Host: Now you know that Saint Joseph College has an excellent program, ¡Adelante!, so that
you can go back to college. It is very important to educate yourself and educate your children.
Remember: education is power. If you want more information, contact Saint Joseph College you are seeing the contact information on the screen. We will see you next time, here in
“Cuentamelo.”
An interview with ROSELYN PACE ’10, who earned her bachelor’s degree in
Social Work at Saint Joseph College:
Host: How was your experience of going to school at Saint Joseph College?
Roselyn: At first it was hard, because I did not have the support I wanted from my friends, but
little by little we grew to know each other, understand each other’s problems, and we became
our own support.
I had my family and I worked, so it was hard. The first year, I took two classes. The next year, I
had more support and grew more confident, so I took three classes since I felt more
comfortable. At some point, I took five classes. Everyone was supportive, each one of us had
strength, and we helped each other.
The end of the third year was very difficult for me because my sister-in-law died. It was difficult,
but the faculty was very supportive and they knew what I was facing … They felt it was
important that I attend classes, but allowed for some flexibility in the completion of my work.
Whenever needed, I could talk to them.
Host: As a woman - a Latina - how does it feel to complete your college degree, which is the
dream of so many people?
Roselyn: Pride! I am very proud of obtaining my degree. As a Latina and as a mother, I teach my
children that it is possible, and there is a way. When I am with friends, wherever I go, I tell them
it is possible to get an education, that there is a way. I am the first in my family to complete my
college degree, which was not part of my family pattern. Now I have my three children who will
go to college. My mom is very proud that I earned my degree - she says, “That’s my daughter!” I
tell others: “Everything is possible - you can do it!”
Host: See how important it is to obtain an education? Education is power. Getting an education
can also help you get a better job. You see the story of this young woman that I have known for
13 years. Check out all the opportunities Saint Joseph College offers here in the town of West
Hartford.