Graduate credits Polk State for solidifying career path, transferring to UF

Ximena Villegas is the first generation in her Mexican family to attend college and is inspired by her parents’ work ethic to achieve a career in immigration law.

She received her Associate in Arts degree from Polk State College in 2023 before transferring to the University of Florida to major in public relations on a pre-law track.

“It was in my First Year Seminar class at Polk State where I realized what it was going to take to become a lawyer,” Villegas shared. “Professor (Von) McGriff had us interview someone in the profession we wanted to pursue. I talked to a few lawyers and realized that I needed to improve my communication skills. I realized that for my career, I will need to be efficient in both writing and public speaking, even if that means getting out of my comfort zone.”

Polk State’s First Year Experience Program is tailored for first-time-in-college students like Villegas to build their foundational knowledge of college, learn how to navigate the higher education environment, and explore different career fields.

Villegas’ moments of self-reflection in her First Year Seminar course led to her decision to major in Public Relations at her transfer university, where she is strengthening her skillsets and building on the foundation established at Polk State.

Inspired by To Kill a Mockingbird as well as her family that immigrated from Mexico, Villegas has long aspired to pursue a career in immigration law.

“Growing up in the immigrant community, I have witnessed the injustices that go on,” she said. “I knew that I wanted to make a difference and that this was the right path to take.”

She explained that transferring from Polk State to UF went smoothly.

“The advisors at both Polk and UF were really helpful,” she said. “I remember specifically my advisor at Polk State being really attentive with ensuring that I had all the requirements needed to transfer successfully.”

Florida’s state colleges enjoy the 2+2 articulation agreement with the State University System, which guarantees all students with Associate in Arts degrees admittance to a state university.

Villegas added that completing her AA at Polk State, “saved me thousands of dollars” with tuition that is approximately one-third the cost of universities.

“The thing about Polk State is that everyone around you wants the best for you, from your professors to the advisors to other students,” she said. “The learning atmosphere is positive, and the professors are extremely encouraging.”

In addition to Professor McGriff, Villegas shared that Carol Martinson, Professor of English, continues to provide support, recently writing a letter of recommendation for a scholarship application Villegas plans to submit.

“The professors at Polk State genuinely care about you,” she added. “They really push you and encourage you to excel. They give you the resources to be successful in university and your future career.”

“I continue to apply what I learned in my general education classes at Polk State in the classes that I’m taking here at UF. Everything has gone hand-in-hand, and I left Polk State prepared for the university level.”

During her time at Polk State, Villegas was also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and was involved with TRiO Student Support Services, which provides underrepresented students with resources and support to develop their academic and self-management skills.

“I continue to apply what I learned in my general education classes at Polk State in the classes that I’m taking here at UF,” she shared. “Everything has gone hand-in-hand, and I left Polk State prepared for the university level.”

For Villegas, graduation in May 2023 felt surreal.

“It was always implied that I was going to college because my parents weren’t able to go to college,” she said. “Just to be able to go to college was a privilege – it’s the American Dream.”

Her father, a warehouse worker, and her mom, a server, have been her biggest sources of motivation. Her paternal grandparents immigrated from Mexico, with her father grew up in a migrant farmworker family. Villegas mother also immigrated from Mexico.

“I admire their work ethic and I aspire to reach that level of work ethic,” Villegas said. “That’s what keeps me driven on my college journey.”