Perla-Esquer-Santana-A-Dream-Built-Across-Borders.php

Perla Esquer Santana: A Dream Built Across Borders

• Students
• 06/04/2025

Moving from Mexico to the USA, Perla Esquer Santana had no idea that something she once saw as just a hobby in college would become her career.

Now, with graduation from Rock Valley College around the corner, she looks back with pride at how far she’s come.

Perla chose Rock Valley College for practical reasons. “I chose to attend Rock Valley College because it was one of the cheapest options at the time. I'm an international student, so it was a little difficult for me to go to university,” she shared. But what started as a financial decision quickly became much more. “They explained to me how college worked. That helped me a lot.”

Initially planning to pursue a double major in business administration and marketing, everything changed after she took a class with instructor Jerry LaBuy. “He told me about video and audio classes, and I was like, that’s something I want to do. In Mexico, that was just a hobby, but here, it was actually a thing.”

Despite initial hesitation, she couldn’t contain her excitement. “I started those two classes hiding it from my parents. But I got so excited that I couldn’t hide it for more than a week. I told my mom, ‘You will never know, but I love this class!’ That’s when I realized I had an opportunity to do mass communication as a career, not just a hobby.”

Perla’s time at RVC has been full of memorable moments, especially her involvement in the International Showcase. “That’s where everything started, my group of friends, my first year getting involved at RVC. It was classes, rehearsals, lunch... we spent so much time together. It was great.”

She began as a choreographer, then expanded her involvement to backstage work and audio engineering. “I ended up being a historian, an editor, and part of the planning team the next year. It was a lot of work, but also a lot of beautiful memories.”

One of her favorite parts of the Showcase was the fashion show. “I saw dresses and cultures I didn’t even know about. It made me more open to asking questions and learning about other people’s backgrounds.”

Perla has shown her community participation by becoming the president of the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS), vice president of the Multicultural Club (MMC), and involved as a member in the Campus Activities Board (CAB) and Student Government Association (SGA).

Perla says RVC helped her find her voice in more ways than one. “When I first came here, I didn’t speak much English. I took classes and practiced, and people here really helped me learn how to communicate. RVC helped me break through that fear.”

Support from the college community played a huge role in her growth. “Student Life helped me with a lot of problems, even beyond academics. The FAFSA department, the Dean of Students… I think I used almost every resource on campus!”

For Perla, Jerry LaBuy became more than just a teacher. “He helped me get a job in the news. I thought it was impossible, but he believed in me. Even now that I’m graduating, he’s still asking how he can help me reach my goals. He really cares.”

Jerry LaBuy, Communications and Humanities - Mass Communication, praised Perla’s dedication and initiative during her time in the RVC Mass Communication program. “Perla has been a very hard-working student the entire time she was in the RVC Mass Com program," he shared. "I remember we took a field trip to one of the area TV stations in our intro class and by the end of the day she was already connecting with the manager that led our tour and working on a part-time job offer from them. She understood the importance of networking in business very quickly and was successful in that. It will serve her well long after her time here at RVC.”

As she looks ahead, Perla plans to transfer to Northern Illinois University and hopes to double major in mass communication and marketing.

She also encourages students to take care of their mental health. “Finals and midterms can be a lot. I come from a culture where we don’t really talk about mental health, but I’ve learned it’s okay to ask for help.”

Perla says learning how to communicate in a new culture took time. “At first, I was scared to ask questions because I didn’t know if it was okay. But I realized we’re all here to learn from each other.”

When asked about her favorite places on campus, she smiled. “I love the Student Life room for hanging out. But for studying or recording videos, I have my secret spots, the quiet corners in the library or the JCSM on the third floor after 4 p.m. They’re my little hideaways.”

From being unsure of her path to becoming a confident leader, Perla Esquer Santana’s story is a powerful one of courage, curiosity, and community. Her time at Rock Valley College shows what’s possible when you take a chance and follow what you love.

 

“Get involved. If you’re facing any problems, people will help you. You’ll make friends, find support, and discover the real college experience. Being involved can change your life completely.”

Perla Esquer Santana