Stephen Perez

2018 Graduate, Bachelor of Arts in Chicano Studies 

Stephen Perez is an El Paso native and has lived here for over 52 years. He is a former Over the Road Truck Driver/Trainer/Instructor with over 25 years in the transportation industry; he recently returned to his position as a Truck Driver Instructor at a local training facility.

This is Stephen's second bachelor's degree. He received his first bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in December 2017 and  graduated from the Chicano Studies program in December 2018.  

Why he enrolled in the program:

I enrolled in the Chicano Studies Program because I felt that would enhance my Criminal Justice degree. The people that I hope to support either in the Criminal Justice System or Immigration System are Hispanic. I wanted to learn the social, economic, cultural and political issues that affect so many members of my local community.

His experience with online learning: 

I also took my Criminal Justice classes online.  

My experience with online classes has been very helpful in improving my computer skills, time management, and organizational skills while at the same time allowing me to continue to work full time. Online classes have allowed me to provide a good example to my daughters and grandchildren and to show them that it is never too late to get a college education.   

On the support he has received as an online student:

The professors and advisors (financial and student) have been very supportive and accessible. Their dedication to my success allowed me to accomplish what I never dreamed was possible

What he plans to do with this degree:

My interests are to pursue a career as a Probation Officer. I became interested in a career in Criminal Justice after several years of involvement in prison ministry through my church. I am also interested in providing support to the current immigrants that are affected by an immigration system that has been broken for too many years. 

On whether he would enroll in this program again if he had to do things over: 

If I had to do it all over again I would enroll in this program. This program has challenged me to think outside the box and to learn things about my culture that I was not aware of.  

What he would say to a prospective online student:

I would like to let prospective students (especially those that have been away from school, those that are parents or those that have a full-time job) know that this program is very informative and  very useful in understanding the social, economic and political issues that affect our great country; (it also) provides the student with the tools necessary to take on the challenge of addressing these issues.