Spotlight
Moms Inspiring Kids on Their Own Academic Journeys
“I wanted to do better for my kids, to show them being educated is a part of life.”
Arcelia Velasco, Merced College Student
By Luciana Chavez Special to Merced College
Content warning: This article briefly discusses suicide, loss and mental health challenges.
Parents already contribute to society by nurturing their offspring. But 4.8 million people— one quarter of all undergraduate students in the U.S.—are also raising children while attending college.
Of those parents, 3.4 million are women, and 2.1 million specifically attend community colleges.
They should be applauded. According to the “working mother effect” advanced by the Gender Initiative at Harvard Business School, mothers who earn college degrees enhance both their and their family’s futures.
“One of my sons had always struggled at school, but his grades have improved since I enrolled at Merced College two years ago,” said mother of five Arcelia Velasco, who will graduate from the college this month. “My daughter has been on the honor roll twice this year. It’s awesome.”
Today, we speak with a few soon-to-be graduates of Merced College who are fulfilling the ever-challenging dual roles of student and mother.
Arcelia Velasco
AA-T Psychology, AA Social & Behavioral Sciences Next: Fresno Pacific University
Arcelia Velasco is pursuing a college degree to better support the five children under her care.
In addition to her own three children, Velasco claimed her niece, 12, and nephew, 11, as her own five years ago under tragic circumstances. During a time in which Velasco’s mother’s health was fading, her sister took her own life. Her mother died nine days later.
“Life was so hard then,” Velasco said.
When her niece and nephew needed a home and love and stability, Velasco stepped in and stepped up. Two years ago, she finally decided to pursue her own dream of going to college.
“I wanted to do better for my kids, to show them being educated is a part of life,” said Velasco, 32. “My siblings and my former in-laws encouraged me so much.”
Velasco started at Merced College with online classes in 2023, and loved the work. In 2024, she decided she also wanted to experience being inside the classroom.
First, she got her two youngest kids into the Child Development Center, then she snagged a campus work study job. She said she’s been blown away by the people she meets on campus each day.
Velasco—who won a CalWORKS Association Region 5 scholarship that will help while at Fresno Pacific—is eager to pass along all she has learned to serve families like hers.
“I have a connection with those issues because of my background,” she said. “My mom struggled with drugs and alcohol. So did my siblings. We’ve all had a rough life. But when I get into social work, I can connect with people because I come from that, too. I just want to help people, to show them the other side of the mountain.”
Maria Romo
AA Early Childhood Education Next: CSU Stanislaus
Maria Romo says that “education has been a big part of my family.” It’s the truth, but Romo has taken a non-traditional route to get there.
It was Romo’s college-aged sons who pushed their mother to enroll at Merced College. Her eldest son Jose Jr. was already in college at CSU Monterey Bay at the time. Her youngest, Adrian, who is graduating from CSUMB this month, helped her get online to apply.
Romo, 53, was inspired to start college because she wanted more responsibility in a classroom after years of volunteering at her son’s schools. She’ll continue working toward an Early Childhood Education degree at Stanislaus State after her Merced College graduation this month.
Romo advises mothers, who are wondering if they should go to college, to make haste.
“I would tell other mothers that college is difficult, but doable,” she said. “It’s never too late. Having a family shouldn’t stop you from reaching your goals. Don’t be afraid!”
Romo appreciates her family for picking up the slack so she could go to class and study.
“I couldn’t do it without their help,” she said. “When I enrolled, God’s timing was perfect. My kids were grown up and didn’t need me 24/7. My son told me, ‘You were there when we needed you, Mom. Now it’s your time to shine.’
“Oh, it makes me emotional to share that. I just said, ‘You know what, mijo? Thank you.’ Those words keep me going stronger every day.”
Romo’s husband Jose Sr. works construction all over the Bay Area. Jose Jr., 24, uses his cinematic arts degree in Los Angeles. Adrian, 21, will graduate with a degree in film production this month.
“I’m fulfilling my own dreams now,” Romo said. “It’s going great.”
Vicky Laguna
AA-T Psychology, AA-T Sociology Next: CSU Stanislaus
Vicky Laguna is not a mother herself, but after her own mother died from liver disease, she took on that role by assuming custody of her three younger brothers.
Laguna had to fight other family members for custody of Anthony, 17, Rudolfo, 11, and Sebastian, 9. She has also had to fight for her own sobriety, while managing dyslexia, ADHD and depression. She said she’ll continue to fight for her brothers as long as she lives.
Even before her mother died, it was Laguna who insisted that her brothers should start seeing a counselor to mourn properly.
“Going through the grief of losing my mother and continuing to be sober was a huge thing for me,” Laguna said. “I came out of it with more peace of mind to raise my brothers because I had therapy to help me.”
Now, she is inspired to become a therapist herself.
“I’ve been given all of this help throughout my life, so I want to give someone else a chance to change,” Laguna said.
With a busy schedule and kids, Laguna occasionally has to bring a brother or two to school with her. To them now, Merced College isn’t an intimidating place, but a welcoming one. Anthony will soon start some classes at Merced College.
“At first Anthony didn’t want to go to college; he just wanted to work,” Laguna said. “Then he met Scott Coahran, one of my professors, and now it’s not so foreign. When he comes here, he’ll be surrounded by people who want to achieve something. He’ll find his people.”
A couple weekends ago, when Laguna attended Warrior Welcome orientation at Stanislaus State, Rudolfo tagged along.
“Rudolfo said now he definitely wants to come to Stanislaus State,” Laguna said. “He had so much fun. It’s been good to show them what it’s like. I was never exposed to that growing up. My brothers will be.”