This story was written by Moses Dunbar, Aylinee’s college success coach and AmeriCorps service member at College Possible Omaha.
At 17, Aylinee faced a unique challenge. After growing up in Mexico, she had returned to Omaha where she had to tackle adjusting to a new environment and the task of relearning English while finishing her senior year of high school.
“Since I was young when I left the States, I never really practiced my second language, English,” Aylinee says. “Senior classes were another concern. I had always been a straight-A student, but here, I knew everything would be different compared to Mexico.” To catch up, she took two English courses each semester, as well as additional classes during the summer.
At the same time, Aylinee began the daunting process of applying for college. While attending Omaha South High School, she discovered College Possible, which provided her with a coach to guide her through college and scholarship applications. “At school, my counselor was my support system,” Aylinee shares. “She helped me with everything college-related and provided moral support. She encouraged me to join College Possible, and that has led me to where I am today.”
Now in her third year at the University of Nebraska Omaha, Aylinee is thriving. She is pursuing a degree in business administration with a focus on international business and marketing. Active in the campus marketing club, she says, “I envision myself working in a dynamic, diverse environment where I can use my language skills and cultural competence to navigate the complexities of the global market.” She’s even considering learning additional languages for her personal and professional growth.
College Possible continues to support Aylinee in her college journey. During the 2023-2024 academic year, Aylinee and I completed the new Better FAFSA together. She also applied for several scholarships, and I coached her through the essay writing process. During both the fall and spring semesters last year, Aylinee earned a spot on the Chancellor’s list with a 4.0 GPA.
Aylinee’s resilience is one of her greatest strengths. When faced with obstacles, she tackles them with a positive attitude. She’s become adept at overcoming challenges and navigating situations where the odds are against her. Another standout quality is her ability to advocate for herself. When she doesn’t know something, she makes full use of campus resources and faculty, unafraid to ask questions and quick to learn.
Reflecting on my time coaching Aylinee, I’m confident she will continue to succeed in college. She has fought so hard to get here, and she’s excited for what comes next. Aylinee’s journey is just beginning, and she’s already achieved so much. I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in the coming years.
