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Dallas College

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Rodolfo (Rudy) Salas

“I’m earning my associate degree because I think it will help me get my foot in the door and move toward my dream career as a firefighter. Although at one time I wanted to be an auto technician, I began to want to be a firefighter about two years ago. 

“I want to help out the community; I have a big heart, and I want to help people out. All of my life, I’ve helped my brother, who has cerebral palsy, and it’s just a way of life for me.  “Alvin Samples helps me out in class; he makes the subject matter exciting, and he’s a really good teacher.

In my Fire Protection classes, I’ve learned a lot about how fire administration works — the chain of command — and it’s really exciting. 

“What would I like to be doing career-wise in five to 10 years? I want to have finished my associate degree, gone to the Fire Academy and be working as a firefighter. Who knows — maybe someday I could even become a fire marshal.”  Rudy Salas has graduated from the Fire Protection Technology program.


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Maggie Brosowske

Maggie Brosowske, EMT-P, FF

Firefighter/Paramedic McKinney Fire Department
“The skills that I learned in the classroom, I use in the workplace all of the time. I’m the only female on my shift and one of only three female firefighter/paramedics in McKinney, but as long as I can pull my own weight, I’m fine.”
Fire Protection Technology
Roland Tay

Roland Tay, M.D.

Special Education Teacher, Naaman Forest High School, Garland Adjunct Faculty, Eastfield
“I was already working on a master’s degree in alternative dispute resolution at SMU when I learned about El Centro’s program, where I earned a certificate in Family Mediation. I was thrilled to find out about their program because it was convenient and affordable. The program was well-designed, and the quality of instruction was excellent.”
Conflict Management
Kathy Mack

Lt. Kathy Mack

Campus Police Officer, Cedar Valley
“Going back to school with work and a family isn’t easy, but it’s attainable. There were a few times when I wanted to give up, but then I’d get encouragement and keep going. You’re going to have obstacles but you have to fight for your goals.”
Criminal Justice
Rosa Berdeja

Rosa M. Berdeja

Paralegal, Locke Lord Bissell and Liddell Texas Wesleyan University Law School student
“My paralegal classes really gave me the fundamental foundation of what it means to be a paralegal. I had always been the only paralegal in a small law firm and I got a much better understanding of how paralegals are utilized in much larger firms.”
Paralegal
Rudy Salas
Rodolfo (Rudy) Salas
Hopeful future firefighter
Fire Protection Technology
School of Law and Public Service
Updated September 16, 2025