Jocelyn-Perez-is-Breaking-Barriers-at-RVC.php

Jocelyn Perez is Breaking Barriers at RVC

• Students
• 04/23/2025

Jocelyn Perez, a high school dropout who earned her GED during the COVID-19 pandemic, never let anything get in the way of her dreams.

Now, as she gets ready to start the next chapter of her life at her dream school, Bellin College, she reflects on her time at Rock Valley College.

For Jocelyn, RVC was a no-brainer. “Rock Valley College is a well-known institution, especially in the Rockford area. It’s financially accessible to students who want to further their careers. And I knew it was a steppingstone to what I wanted to do.”

Jocelyn always liked science and knew she wanted to go into the medical field. “Rock Valley has a lot of science classes so I knew that would help me fulfill not only the requirements to transfer but my own personal curiosity to learn more.” Her interest in radiologic sciences started when she was an optometric assistant and did imaging on patient’s eyes. “I just wanted to do something bigger. So, radiology is like the first step to being able to image the whole body.”

Jocelyn didn’t start college until she was 23. “I was actually a high school dropout. I got my GED during COVID in 2020 through Rock Valley,” said Jocelyn. “And at the time, I needed to work to sustain life. It was difficult, but Rock Valley is very flexible.” Despite the challenges, she found a balance between work and school, ultimately succeeding in an academic environment that supported her ambitions.

Now, Jocelyn is celebrating a significant milestone, her acceptance into Bellin College. "I'm very excited to get into my dream school. I was honestly afraid that I wouldn’t be able to get in as radiology is super competitive, so I’m very stoked about that, and I can’t wait to start in the fall."

Alex Luft, who Jocelyn has worked with, shares a memorable story about Jocelyn’s passion for radiologic sciences: “Soon after I hired her to work in the Career Services office, I asked why she was interested in radiography,” said Alex. “She told me it was all about science—how she could visualize the photons passing through some tissues and being absorbed by others. From that essential function of energy and matter, radiologists and radiographers are able to see what we ought not be able to see. Jocelyn told me how endlessly fascinated she was by this technology and how much she wanted to deepen her understanding. I was completely unsurprised when, a couple months later, she was accepted to Bellin College to do exactly that.”

The Career Service Specialist, Markiese Morgan shares a memorable trait about Jocelyn’s hard work, “Jocelyn will consistently be there to assist others in whatever capacity she can,” said Markiese. “She has risen from so much hardship in her life, and she has a heart that doesn't want to see others fall because of their own hardships. She is wise beyond her youth and understands that if she wants something, she will have to fight for it. She's always reminding me and our student workers that their dreams are achievable and if we happen upon a roadblock or a difficulty in the road, to not let that stop us.”

Jocelyn found solace in the campus library and the JCSM building, where she enjoyed studying. "I love studying in the library. I really love that they have study rooms that you can reserve for a couple hours, just kind of have a quiet space." She also took full advantage of tutoring services. "Even being a science major, I still struggle. Math and science, as fun as they are, they’re also equally hard. So anytime I had any trouble, I would definitely use the tutoring services on campus."

Jocelyn worked as a student worker at Career Services where she helped students find jobs and internships, edit resumes, and make professional connections. “We work one on one with different companies and students just to try to make those connections, not only for better career outcomes but we also focus a lot on making sure all our students are getting paid properly, especially with everything getting harder now in life.”

One of Jocelyn’s favorite experiences was taking a world religions class with Professor Brian Wagner. “It was an elective class that I took, and it was very fun,” said Jocelyn. “I know it’s not necessarily a science-based class, but it’s nice to know that there are other areas that I can study at RVC. Going to the end of the class field trip and going to Gurdwara, and visiting different religious sites was fun and interesting. It made me realize that there's a lot more to study out there than just your basic core classes.”

For students just starting at RVC, Jocelyn emphasizes the importance of time management and communication. “Time management, I’m not going to lie, is hard, especially if you work and go to school but you have to make sure that, just as much as you make time for work, you make time for your schoolwork,” said Jocelyn. “School, I think, could even be considered another job. Trying to balance school and work is important. Communication is important, not only with yourself but with others, like your professors. As much as you learn from them, they’re also learning from you, and they need to know your situation and if you ever need help. So, don’t be afraid to speak up.”

As Jocelyn leaves RVC she says “It’s fun. I really like Rock Valley. I will miss it when I go. It’s been very welcoming.” Her journey is proof that it’s never too late to go back to school. “It’s not too late to go back to school even as a non-traditional student. I knew I would be a little older than most of my classmates. But time passes anyway so you might as well use that time to further yourself and your education.”