Meet Leslie, a proud Gaucho in her first year at GCC and having a great time. “I graduated from Apollo High School and looked at ASU and the U of A, but they didn’t have the program I wanted.” Stated Leslie, she added. “I liked what I saw at GCC plus I received the President’s Honors Scholarship.”
Leslie admits that she was a bit nervous at first but she adjusted quickly. “My best friend is here, plus I made the Spirit Line squad. Mostly though, everyone is so friendly and caring.” She stated that all of her instructors are so approachable and want to help. “They really want us to succeed.” Leslie said the same about her Spirit Line coach, “Our coach wants us to do well and make an impact at the games and matches, but she reminds us that we are students first and our grades are most important.” She also knows that her coach always has her back and will be there for her and her teammates.
As a first-generation college student, Leslie is excited about all the opportunities that GCC is giving her. “I want to be an Ultrasound Technician, so I am taking my General Education classes at GCC and my Ultrasound classes at Gateway.” She does admit to liking GCC more. When considering her career path, she had thought about nursing but felt that going into Ultrasound would get her into the workforce faster. Another reason that being an Ultrasound Technician appealed to her is the opportunity to travel. The travel bug bit her during a road trip across the country, from Arizona to Virginia and visits to Mexico.
When asked about joining GCC’s Spirit Line, she replied that she had been interested in it ever since she was a little girl. “I went out for Cheer at Apollo High School and made the team. I absolutely fell in love with it.” Leslie is proud to be on the GCC Spirit Line and stated that being on the squad is another reason she loves GCC. “It would have been harder to make the team at U of A, or ASU.” She also likes the fact that she gets to support so many of the Gaucho athletic teams, from soccer to volleyball and from baseball and softball to basketball.
When asked what advice she would have for anyone considering GCC, she said the following, “The faculty is great. You can go to them with questions and they want to help. Plus there are so many resources available to help you succeed. There is no reason to be afraid, it is so welcoming here.”