NVC Distinguished Graduate Janell Casias
A Significant Milestone on a Journey Janell Casias has long held the dream of a college education. As she steps onto the commencement stage on May 22, 2025, she carries with her a history of challenges that have fueled her resolve. The Distinguished Graduate Award, sponsored by GM Financial, recognizes students for their campus and community involvement, leadership, and dedication to Northwest Vista College. This year, it honors Janell Casias, a student whose journey to this milestone is marked by remarkable resilience and lifelong pursuit of education. Currently a medical assistant and office manager for a pulmonary care group in San Antonio, Janell plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing at St. Philip’s College with a focus on critical care. Looking ahead, she also hopes to establish a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting pregnant teens with mental health resources and other essential services. Janell understands the challenges faced by teen moms. At the age of 14, she became a mother. By 16, she endured the loss of her own mother and navigated early adulthood largely on her own. Demonstrating remarkable resourcefulness, Janell used her savings to buy a foreclosed home with cash at the age of 20. While the remodeling process was lengthy, her four-bedroom, two-bathroom house eventually became the home she envisioned. Janell, who eventually became a mother of four, always knew that college was necessary, yet she prioritized her children and never wanted them to feel like they were an obstacle to her ambitions. Ten years ago, she said she attempted to attend classes, but the demands of raising young children and being in a difficult marriage created significant barriers. The shift towards online learning following COVID provided Janell with a renewed opportunity. With her children now more independent and free from a marriage that stifled her aspirations, she re-enrolled in college. Balancing full-time work with online classes proved to be the key to achieving her long-held educational goal. Reflecting on her journey, Janell has learned a valuable lesson she shares with others: “You have to believe in yourself and make that first step.” For Janell, earning her associate’s degree is a powerful fulfillment of a promise made to her 13-year-old self, a significant milestone on a journey that she confidently knows will continue with pursuing a master's degree. Click Here to Visit the NVC Commencement Webpage
A Significant Milestone on a Journey
Janell Casias has long held the dream of a college education. As she steps onto the commencement stage on May 22, 2025, she carries with her a history of challenges that have fueled her resolve. The Distinguished Graduate Award, sponsored by GM Financial, recognizes students for their campus and community involvement, leadership, and dedication to Northwest Vista College. This year, it honors Janell Casias, a student whose journey to this milestone is marked by remarkable resilience and lifelong pursuit of education.
Currently a medical assistant and office manager for a pulmonary care group in San Antonio, Janell plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing at St. Philip’s College with a focus on critical care. Looking ahead, she also hopes to establish a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting pregnant teens with mental health resources and other essential services.
Janell understands the challenges faced by teen moms. At the age of 14, she became a mother. By 16, she endured the loss of her own mother and navigated early adulthood largely on her own. Demonstrating remarkable resourcefulness, Janell used her savings to buy a foreclosed home with cash at the age of 20. While the remodeling process was lengthy, her four-bedroom, two-bathroom house eventually became the home she envisioned.
Janell, who eventually became a mother of four, always knew that college was necessary, yet she prioritized her children and never wanted them to feel like they were an obstacle to her ambitions. Ten years ago, she said she attempted to attend classes, but the demands of raising young children and being in a difficult marriage created significant barriers.
The shift towards online learning following COVID provided Janell with a renewed opportunity. With her children now more independent and free from a marriage that stifled her aspirations, she re-enrolled in college. Balancing full-time work with online classes proved to be the key to achieving her long-held educational goal. Reflecting on her journey, Janell has learned a valuable lesson she shares with others: “You have to believe in yourself and make that first step.”
For Janell, earning her associate’s degree is a powerful fulfillment of a promise made to her 13-year-old self, a significant milestone on a journey that she confidently knows will continue with pursuing a master's degree.
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- Congrats Class of 2025![hide]
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