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Phoenix College Alumnus Attributes Success to PC Adult Re-Entry Center

By Whitney Love

Describing her experience at Phoenix College as focused and encouraging, Marta Galvez has gone from AWARE Club student president to social worker for the award-winning John C. Lincoln Health Network's Marley House.

"While I was a student at Phoenix College I worked part-time, volunteered and went to school full-time," said Galvez. "I felt very good about myself and the time I was spending doing my various activities. It all pretty much began at the Adult Re-Entry Center with Kay Bellrichard. She encouraged me to be all that I could be and to go after my dreams. I just cannot say enough about the support I received while studying at PC. Kay was very instrumental to my success at Phoenix College. So were many others like Rene Degado,Mitra Mehraban and Mark Rosati. They helped make my experience at PC a great success personally and professionally."

During her first two years at PC, Galvez studied business and intended to go into the accounting field. However, she changed her mind after her experiences of help and concern from others. She sought a more rewarding field in social work.

"There were a few things that happened to me to change my mind about working in the accountancy field," she added. "One of them was a talk I had with Biology Instructor Mark Rosati. He was tutoring me before a biology test and told me I had the test 'in the bag'. All I needed to do was believe in my ability to do well."

After graduating from PC with a degree in general studies, Galvez enrolled at ASU West. There she completed her bachelor's degree in Integrative Studies and decided to enroll in a master's degree program at Northern Arizona University.

Besides currently pursuing her master's degree, Galvez works full-time at the John C. Lincoln Health Network's Marley House. The network recently won the Foster G. McGaw Award for Excellence in Community Service. In her position as a social worker for Marley House, she is responsible for guiding clients through programs and services.

"I can honestly say that my success began at the Adult Re-Entry Center, with the AWARE Club and with the people at Phoenix College. They created a safe haven for me to feel a part of the campus community and taught me how to believe in myself," said Galvez.