Class of 2022 Grads Share Their Stories

NLU's class of 2022 is full of remarkable graduates. As part of Commencement Week 2022, here are some of their stories!

Zaira Perez Limon

What does Commencement/graduation mean to you?

For me, graduation is a way to celebrate my achievements and all the hard work I have put into my education all these years. At the same time, it is a way to prove that I’m capable of achieving anything I want.

Did you have to overcome any difficult challenges during your education to make it to graduation? If so, what were they?

The biggest challenge I had to overcome to graduate was learning English. I moved to Chicago 5 years ago, and when I started college, I didn’t speak English yet. I knew the basics, such as the numbers, colors, and a few more sentences, but that was it. So I feel like I put a lot of extra work to make it to graduation because I’m not only getting a degree, I’m also graduating with a new language learned.

What has your experience at NLU been like?

My experience at NLU was amazing. Since the first day, I got that sense that I belonged to NLU; I have met incredible people that I consider now part of my family. Many people in NLU helped to succeed and were there to help and support me from day one.

What are your plans for the future?

My plans for the future are to stay here in Chicago, work in a marketing firm, and be able to travel and buy my own home.

Alize Harris

What does Commencement/graduation mean to you?

Graduation to me means more than just a degree. I’m the third in my family to graduate from college, and to do it all while being a single parent is tough. You will face challenges and have days where you want to give up and say, “forget school”. I know saying this is a cliché, but I have pulled many all-nighters trying to get papers in on time because all of them were due at the same time. Graduation is not just graduation, it’s the next step to starting your own career and making your mark. This day and age revolves around our generation, we are changing the game and taking the world by storm, so let’s give them something to remember.

Did you have to overcome any difficult challenges during your education to make it to graduation? If so, what were they?

I had to overcome many challenges over the past 4 years. I’ve overcome depression, anxiety, toxic relationships and being told I wouldn’t finish school because I had a child. I had my daughter in 2022. During my pregnancy, I was depressed, in a toxic relationship, and had people doubting that I would finish college. I got told so many times that a child would stop me and that I wouldn’t go back to school after I had her. Through all the doubt they had, I gained courage along the way. I was still in school during my pregnancy and even after I had my daughter I still attended school. That angel that was inside me gave me the motivation to push forward, which is why I name her Aryia, her name means pure, like a fresh start to a better life and a better me. She gave me a different look to life and made me better. Once I started listening to myself and even my mom, and stopped listening to the doubt, things became better and easier to manage.

What has your experience at NLU been like?

NLU has been amazing, it actually wasn’t my first choice but looking back now it should have been. The culture is out of this world, people from all different backgrounds and walks of life you can learn so much and it doesn’t stop there. This school will change you for the better, you will learn so much about yourself that you never knew and find your passion in the process. I’m happy to say that this school has changed me for the better and that I’m not that same girl that I was in high school, I have a different outlook on life, I'm more confident, vocal, and open.

What are your plans for the future?

I have two possible future plans as a hairstylist or a therapist. I want to attend beauty school and be a jack of all trades in the beauty industry. I discovered this passion in my Sophomore year of college. I had this passion as a child, but I lost it in high school. I’m very creative and that is how I express myself, as a child I was always making or doing something creative. Seeing the smiles that it brings to peoples face just melts my heart and I get the same feeling when I do hair, makeup, or anything else. Plan two is to be a therapist for adolescents and young adults. Through my high school years and even college years I’ve battled with depression and as many people as I have talked to I still felt no one was listening to me. I always told people that when I talk they “listen to respond and not to comprehend” meaning they responded after everything I said instead of really listening and hearing what I had to say. We have day to day issues like everyone else young and old and no one listens to how our day was or even ask what is really bothering us, so I want to be that outlet for people my age.

Anthony Lopez

What does Commencement/graduation mean to you?

Honestly, I've overcome many obstacles to get to where I am now. Graduating with a bachelor's is everything because, for me, it's representation. I want my community, family, and friends to see me - and feel inspired. I want many to chase their dreams and aspirations. Growing up in Back of the Yards pushed me to pursue my dreams; eventually, I want to return to my community and build STEM projects for the kids and families there. I am showing families different outcomes and opportunities from disciplining yourself while working on your goals.

Did you have to overcome any difficult challenges during your education to make it to graduation? If so, what were they?

I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I started my journey in computer science. There were challenges where I had to study and practice my work all day and night - the only break I had was to eat lunch and dinner. I had times when I only slept for 3 hours, times when I was so frustrated that I cried, overwhelmed & stressed. This wasn't the easiest journey, but don't let that discourage you - because I always say, "If it's too easy, you're not learning ."It's okay to ask for help! NLU helped me a lot with exceptional tutors like Benjamin and Moshe. Outstanding faculty like Ms. Moncrief and Dr. Tovar helped other students who needed the help and me. I wouldn't know how far I would've gotten if it wasn't for their excellent support system. Thank you to them because they also have their own lives and things going on - but still took time to help us. It makes me feel meaningful and happy that they invest their time to help us students get to where we need to be.

What has your experience at NLU been like?

My experience at NLU has been incredibly unique; I've seen the transitions/improvements in the university from the beginning to now. They provide resources and try their hardest to implement all feedback students give. NLU shows that they care and listen to their students! In my sophomore/junior year, I was a part of a fantastic friend group. Raymundo, Zambrano, Gabino, and I would get lunch, meet at a space, eat there, and study after class; we'd stay after school to finish and help each other with the homework. The good thing about being at a university is that we all have things in common; talk with our peers and create friendships! It's a true honor to graduate from this robust and respectable institution.

What are your plans for the future?

My plan for the future is a couple of things; I want to gain more knowledge and experience in web and app development to start my own company, helping others bring their ideas to fruition. I am also a HUGE fan of WWE and would love to work as their social media manager one day. But overall, after networking and gaining a lot of life experience, I want to zip up all I know and bring it back to my community, Back of the Yards. We know that Chicago has its ups and downs, but it will always continue to go up if we invest in our kids in our communities because they are the next generation. We must leave a positive and inspiring note for the next generation.

Tiesha Wilson

Graduating from college is a dream come true because my only focus was to work and take care of my family. After high school, my classmates went to college, but I detoured. I worked odd jobs until I landed a job at Chicago Public School as custodial worker. I was surrounded by educators and some National Louis alumni who allowed me to see the beauty in education. I fell in love with the art of teaching. The principal at Claremont Academy saw my passion for children and offered me a position as a special education classroom assistant. By then I didn't know how I was going to have the time go to college to be an educator, but I knew teaching was my calling. I called National Louis and applied to take online classes because of the convenience for me and my family. I came to National Louis as passionate determined woman with the brilliance of professors online giving me the tools I needed to pursue my dreams but never in a million years would I think I'd graduate with a 3.1 GPA, because I went from cleaning in the classroom, to assisting in the classroom, to now teaching in the classrooms. National Louis has given me the opportunity to make my dreams come true.

Dulguun Ayurzana

What does Commencement/graduation mean to you?

Commencement is the day that I have been dreamed of since the first day of my freshman year in college. Now I am a week away from one of my most dreamed-of days. Not only me, it includes my family and friends.

Did you have to overcome any difficult challenges during your education to make it to graduation? If so, what were they?

It wasn’t easy, there has been tons of problems in my college life. I came to the U.S 5 years ago and I had no English at that time. I remember my very first day of college. I told myself I can’t even pass a semester, but I didn’t give up and here I am today. 

What has your experience at NLU been like?

Being a NLU student was an honor to me. I like the way NLU supports their students. I was an introvert person, and after all I gained confidence and became an extrovert person. 

Overall, I am highly satisfied with NLU.

What are your plans for the future?

My plan in the future is to go back to Mongolia and be a professional financial advisor or Certified Public Accountant.

Bibiana Sotelo

My name is Bibiana Sotelo, I will be graduating from National Louis University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, a minor in Entrepreneurship and two concentrations in Psychology and Leadership. I was born in the state of Guerrero, Mexico and immigrated to the United States at 2 years old with my parents following the American Dream.

Just like for many, Chicago became our new home and we had to face the difficulty of learning a new language and costumes we were not familiar with. Both my parents achieved a very low level of education and moving to a new country not speaking the language was definitely a challenge for them. As they began to work long hours, I attended school and became very passionate about following my education but due to my legal status, college was a very far dream because resources and help was very limited. As I reached high school, I became more aware of my options and realized I didn't have many. I was very set on the decision of finishing high school, beginning to work and going to a community college. On a school day, one of my counselors and teachers came up to me and informed me about applying to the DreamUS Scholarship. The DreamUS provides scholarships for highly qualified DREAMERS to go to college at one of their partnered universities on a full ride paid tuition. Because of my academic excellence and achievements, my teachers believed I was capable of being accepted and pursuing my dream of attending a four-year university and furthering my education.

The day acceptance emails were being sent finally came and there was mine. “Congratulations Bibiana, you have been accepted!” was written in big bold letters on the email. It was a very emotional and unforgettable day for me and my family. Four years later, present time, I thank my teachers, counselors, parents, and The DreamUS Scholarship for believing in me and helping me achieve all of my college accomplishments. To me, graduation means a lot because not everyone who may be in the same situation as me may get this far so I am very fortunate and thankful for the opportunity National Louis University gave me. They allowed me to attend no matter what my status was as they partner with organizations like The DreamUS. In the near future I hope to start my own business and help other people the same way I received help. As I walk the stage on June 25th, I will look back at the young girl who was once told that because of the color of her skin, she couldn't be successful and say YOU DID IT! Congratulations to the entire class of 2022!