2025 Ivy Tech Fort Wayne grad Brenda Romero’s college journey began as a bet with her mother.
“My mom was studying for her United States citizenship when I was in middle school. She said, ‘if I pass it then you have to go to college.’ I said, ‘okay, bet.’”
That little gamble changed everything. Even before her mother passed the exam, Brenda began doing her own college research little by little.
Her journey to graduation day hasn’t been easy. In fact, there were times she felt like the cards were stacked against her. With the support of her family and friends, she’s walking across the stage this May to get her degree in psychology.
This path has been anything but straight, and this degree wasn’t even what she initially went for.
Bait and switch
Brenda had always planned to be a nurse.
When she first started at Ivy Tech, she was working towards all the credentials that could get her there. She has gotten her QMA, CNA, and pre-nursing certificate, but all this ultimately led her to psychology.
“I currently work in a dementia care unit, and I started to become interested in how the disease progresses. I started to try to understand why my residents might act in certain ways based on their past.”
As a big advocate for her residents, she pays close attention to see what stimulates certain behaviors and reactions. She also tries to be a voice for all the nursing home residents, empathizing with them to make their experience more comfortable.
This passion for exploring behavior kept leading her away from a career in nursing. She’s appreciative of the nurses she works with, but ultimately, it’s not what she wants to do.
“I told myself that if I don’t switch now, I probably never will.”
Hitting the jackpot
“Ivy Tech has been great, giving me the benefit of the doubt. I’ve been through the SAP appeal and had to retake classes. Ivy Tech gave me a chance, and now I’m graduating.”
Continuing her education at Ivy Tech felt like a no brainer. She’d already had credits for the college through her high school, it was cost effective, and she’d be close to home.
It was only a year into her college career when she dropped out for the first time for personal reasons. She came back, but her first pregnancy also led her to pause. In the end, she knew a degree was what she wanted to work towards.
“I told myself I’m going to do it. I want to graduate.”
She’s had a lot to juggle these past few years being a full-time mom, full-time student, and full-time worker. Time management has been her biggest struggle, and she has to remind herself to take a step back and breathe.
Her psychology education has helped her work through her emotions and even has pushed her to seek help when she feels she needs it.
“I have to make mini sacrifices, but I want to show my kids that if you put your mind to something, then you can do it.”
She’s had the luck of the draw when it comes to a support system.
Her family has been her biggest cheerleaders throughout the whole process. Her parents have offered to watch her kids when she’s overwhelmed with studying and homework. Her brother and sister and grandparents offer endless support.
She is also grateful for her coworkers, her high school English teacher, Mr. Griffin, and the psychology department within Ivy Tech, who constantly encourage her.
“To my family, I just appreciate all the support and encouraging me to do better. To my kids, nothing is impossible when you put your mind to it.”
What’s next
After graduation, Brenda plans to get her bachelor’s in psychology. Right now, she’s debating on what area she wants to focus on.
“I’d really like to mix psychology and law. So, right now, I’m leaning towards a career in either social work or forensic psychology.”
With graduation in the cards, Brenda is embracing the future thankful and excited. To future students, she offers this advice:
“When you put your mind to it, if you want to do it, go for it. If it doesn’t turn out to be what you hoped, it’s okay to start over.”
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
