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There was a time when Yvette Garcia thought she was done with school. She had earned her associate degree and paralegal certificate during the pandemic, all while managing work and family life. At that point, with more than a decade of experience in the legal field, she felt settled.  

Although she initially had no plans to pursue a bachelor's degree, the idea began to evolve into a personal goal. After being diagnosed with Stage 3C breast cancer at age 36 - just 18 months after losing her mother to the same disease – Yvette had a renewed perspective on life, prompting her to reevaluate her priorities and take control of her future.  

She researched programs across the country and ultimately found that SCPS’s Paralegal Studies program offered the flexibility she needed as a working single mother. With online coursework, a supportive community, and a clear path to completion, the program fit her lifestyle and ambitions. 

Enrolling at SCPS marked a turning point—not just in Yvette’s education but in her confidence. Despite balancing a full-time job and raising two daughters, she committed fully to her studies.  Yvette carefully structured her schedule to prioritize coursework, often giving up weekends and late nights to stay on top of assignments. 

"When I made the decision to go back to school, I had so much anxiety," Yvette states. "It took me a very long time to realize my worth. I think there's the hesitation that a lot of adult learners have like, 'Oh, how am I going to do this? How am I going to balance a job? How am I going to balance the kids? How am I going to balance my schoolwork?'  

I made a commitment to myself to finish this. If you really have that passion and you really want it, you got to do it for yourself and nobody else." 

At the same time, she secured a new position as a Discovery Specialist—her dream job. In this role, she manages legal interrogatories, financial discovery, and litigation support, all while working remotely. The timing of the job offer aligned closely with her studies at Loyola, and her enrollment in the SCPS program played a key role in helping her stand out to employers. The coursework she completed not only enhanced her knowledge of legal processes but directly applied to her day-to-day responsibilities in the field. 

“It's my dream job," Yvette affirms. "I feel like having ºÚÁÏÃÅon my resume shows that no matter my age or my experience, I'm still trying to learn.  [The company] saw me as a benefit, and they're so supportive of me in school right now. I feel like everything that I've been learning in this last year and a half through the classes at SCPS have helped me so much with my new job.” 

She is the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree, a milestone made even more meaningful by her deep connection to Loyola. Two of her cousins, also daughters of a single mother, graduated from the university years earlier and served as early role models. Their success, along with her own memories of visiting the ºÚÁÏÃÅcampus in her youth, planted the seed that has now come full circle. 

As the SCPS Commencement Speaker for Spring 2025, Yvette will represent not only her own journey but also the strength of countless adult learners who return to school to write their stories.