“Here and Blooming”—Marisol Perez Shows That Education Is for Anyone Who Wants It

Tell us about your journey back to college.

I first tried to go back to school in 1997, but as a single mom with five young kids, it was just too difficult to juggle daycare, home life, and classes. I had to put my education on hold for decades and went into the financial field instead. After working many years and going through multiple layoffs, my sisters—who both graduated from Dallas College—encouraged me to try again. I realized I had the experience for certain jobs, but without a degree I didn’t have anything in writing to back it up. That’s when I decided it was time to further my education.

What career experience did you have before returning to school?

I started off as a teller at Texas Trust Credit Union, then worked at Capital One for about 16 years in credit card fraud and recoveries. After three layoffs, I knew I needed to build something more secure. Later I worked at Mercedes Financial Services for almost seven years. Eventually, I decided to take a severance package and finally enroll at Dallas College to pursue my degree in Business Management.

What motivated you to keep going once you started?

Honestly, the good Lord, my children, my grandbabies, and if it weren’t for my advisor Dana enrolling me in summer classes right away, I probably would have kept waiting. Once I got started, I went full force. I graduated in May 2024 with my first degree, and now I’m working toward a second degree in Paralegal Studies. I realized I needed to understand contracts, liabilities, and the legal side of running a business—not just for myself, but to help my husband as he grows his cabinetry business.

What challenges have you faced as a nontraditional student?

Time management has been the hardest. Between school, part-time work, leadership roles like serving as VP in Phi Theta Kappa, and supporting my husband, there were times I had to sacrifice family events. I have five kids and 14 grandbabies, so missing birthdays and parties wasn’t easy. But my husband has been a huge support—sometimes he’d cook dinner and pack lunches just so I could focus on homework. Prioritizing what really matters in the moment has been the key.

What advice would you give to other nontraditional students?

I tell people I was a late bloomer, but I’m here and I’m blooming. Education isn’t just for the young—it’s for anyone who wants it. Don’t let setbacks make you quit. You have to want it more than anyone else, and you have to finish what you started. Some of the younger students even motivated me. They’d call me “mama bear,” and I’d remind them that just because I’ve lived longer doesn’t mean I know it all. We can all learn from each other.

• Stories