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Contact UsFrom First-Gen Student to College Advisor: Araceli Palacios Pays It Forward
A Roadrunner鈥檚 Journey of Resilience and Redirection
When Araceli Palacios 鈥�23 transferred to Metropolitan State University of Denver in January 2020, they carried more than just textbooks and ambition, they carried the weight of a difficult decision. After investing over $30,000 in an engineering program, Palacios chose to walk away from a path that didn鈥檛 align with their passions.
鈥淚 was dealing with a lot of shame and guilt,鈥� Palacios recalls. 鈥淏ut 海角社区鈥檚 transfer program made it their mission to ensure I felt supported.鈥�
That support came through orientation communications, class scheduling assistance, and personalized advising.聽 Then, just weeks into the semester, COVID-19 upended campus life. Amid uncertainty, Palacios leaned into their love for history, officially declaring a major in the subject and a minor in Spanish.
Finding Community and Academic Excellence
As a first-generation student, Palacios knew the challenges of navigating higher education without a roadmap. 海角社区鈥檚 Center for Multicultural Engagement & Inclusion and First-Generation Initiatives became lifelines, connecting Palacios to TRIO Student Success programs and a network of peers who shared similar experiences.
鈥淭hose programs didn鈥檛 just help me academically, they gave me leadership opportunities and event planning skills that shaped my career,鈥� Palacios says.
Faculty mentorship also played a pivotal role. Palacios credits professors in History and World Languages for fostering an environment of critical thinking, discussion and problem solving, with some of their most transformative courses being Women of Color and programs through the Gender Institute for Teaching and Advocacy (GITA).
Launching a Career Rooted in Social Mobility
After graduating in 2023, Palacios faced the familiar question: What鈥檚 next? With guidance from 海角社区鈥檚 C2Hub, they explored career pathways and leveraged skills gained through campus involvement. The result: a fellowship with the Denver Scholarship Foundation, which evolved into a full-time role as a college advisor.
Today, Palacios works primarily with 9th- to 11th-grade students at Montbello High School, focusing on college readiness, financial literacy, and career exposure.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have these resources in high school,鈥� Palacios says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I鈥檓 committed to helping students, especially first-generation students, prepare for college and graduate debt-free.鈥�
Advice for Future Roadrunners
Palacios urges current students to get involved: 鈥淛oin a club, connect with professors, apply for scholarships. These experiences will guide you toward your goals.鈥�
They also emphasize the importance of financial aid applications and internships, noting that 海角社区 offers robust support through its scholarship team and C2Hub.