Turning-Barriers-into-Achievement.php

Turning Barriers into Achievement

• Students
• 06/25/2026

“I had been told, repeatedly and without hesitation, that I would never go to college, never hold a job, and would not accomplish anything beyond graduating high school,” said Nori Cecil Barnes.

“Those words shaped how I saw myself for a long time. My time at RVC has completely changed that trajectory.”

For Nori, choosing Rock Valley College (RVC) was not just a decision about where to go to school, it was a powerful step toward reclaiming her voice, her potential, and her place in a world that once told her she did not belong.

RVC's Disability Support Services (DSS) influenced her decision to attend. From the very beginning, their support not only guided her choice, but changed the course of her life.

Being seen and understood for the first time changed what she believed was possible for her future. This experience gave her the confidence to dream bigger, the courage to pursue her dreams, and a safe place to learn.

“The TRIO program and DSS department especially stand out to me because they never stop working for their students,” she highlighted. “They don’t just provide services, they consistently advocate, encourage, and show up in ways that make a real difference in students’ lives.”

Nori explored different areas of study during her time on campus, learning about humanities, anthropology, art history, literature, and English, in an effort to better understand what felt most meaningful to her.

By graduation, she had earned an Associate of Arts degree with High Honors, double majoring in Biological Sciences and Anthropology, with minors in Latin American Studies and Psychology. She also earned both CRLA (College Reading and Learning Association) Level 1 and Level 2 certifications in peer tutoring and academic support.

These accomplishments are driven by a deepening desire to understand how humans exist and what shapes who they become.

A turning point came when Rob Srygler, Assistant Professor, was the first to tell her she was allowed to be in science.

“That sentence may sound simple, but it changed something deep in me,” Nori explained. “He made space for me to imagine a future I had never dared to picture for myself.”

Another RVC faculty member who teaches Anthropology, Lien Vu, influenced not only what Nori studied, but how she saw the world, encouraging her to understand people beyond the surface and to question what often goes unspoken.

Together, these experiences were instrumental in defining her academic path and, ultimately, her sense of purpose.

“I came in carrying doubt, fear, and physical and emotional challenges that often made even showing up feel impossible,” said Nori. “Rock Valley College did not just prepare me for my next step, it helped me believe I even had a next step worth taking.”

She didn’t expect to leave with more than an education, yet they found family, a home, and a place where students are truly seen, supported, and valued for who they are.

Beyond academics, Nori grew more confident in communicating with others and began forming meaningful connections––gradually learning to navigate environments that once felt overwhelming.

Her role as a student employee also taught her how to carry herself with greater independence and professionalism while managing real-world responsibilities.

“When I first started at RVC, I was developmentally assessed at the 9-year-old percentile,” Nori shared. “Because of the support systems, encouragement, and opportunities I’ve been given, my development has grown to the 16-year-old percentile today.”

That growth came with real challenges. Nori lives with physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities, along with chronic illness and daily pain that affect her everyday life.

Instead of giving up, she learned to advocate for herself with resilience. Although discussing her disabilities and health conditions required vulnerability, she realized “my access and my education matters.” By sharing her story, she helped foster empathy and inclusion for others navigating their own barriers.

“These experiences have not only been challenges, but also part of my growth into someone who can navigate systems, advocate for accessibility, and continue pursuing my education while managing complex health needs,” Nori reflected.

Looking ahead, she will attend Northern Illinois University (NIU) to pursue dual master’s degrees, with a long-term goal of researching neurodegenerative conditions, particularly dementia.

She earned her CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative) certification, preparing her to conduct ethical research with human participants, and is currently seeking IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval to begin dementia research focused on early detection, prevention, and treatment.

Beyond research, Nori is committed to creating more accessible and inclusive spaces in STEM for individuals who have been underrepresented or overlooked. For her, this work is deeply personal, rooted in a desire to bring greater understanding, humanity, and hope to those affected.

“My advice for anyone considering Rock Valley College is to stop listening to the idea that community college is a “less than” path,” Nori emphasized. “Don’t rush past the place that can actually build you up. Let it teach you, support you, and shape you. Because for me, RVC wasn’t a detour. It was the reason I was able to start moving forward at all.”

“They were the first people who ever looked at me and said that someone like me, someone with a disability, was not only allowed to go to college, but truly belonged there."

Nori Cecil Barnes, RVC graduate