On Saturday Februray 7, sophomores in the AVID program took part in a conference called Pathways to Success at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) giving students a first-hand look at college life and future opportunities. The visit allowed students to tour the campus, learn about academic programs, and explore potential career paths.

For many students, the experience was eye-opening. Sophomore Araalia Ramirez shared, “I feel like it just opened more opportunities to be able to not only tour the campus, but just ask questions and be able to explore what careers are there,” stated Ramirez. 

Being on a real college campus helped students picture themselves continuing their education after high school. A highlight of the trip was learning about scholarships and financial aid. Sophomore Freddy Madera shared,  “Definitely learning a lot about scholarships and financial help, as well as the help that they offer for students as they get there,” stated Madera.

Students also had the chance to attend informational sessions about different programs. Sophomore Miranda Nabor found the presentation on Mexican and Latino studies especially interesting. “It was fun. The most interesting things were the one about Mexican or Latino classes, and also just getting to know more about it,” said Nabor. 

By the end of the trip, many students felt more confident about their futures. When asked if UNC was now a serious option, Madera shared, “Yeah, it’s definitely my main consideration now.”