Spotlight Series: Mary Ramirez

作为一名警官, Sergeant Mary Ramirez spends her days serving 帕洛阿尔托学院 and the rest of the 澳门新葡京博彩区. Although she may not always be on duty, she is always looking to make a difference in the lives of those around her.

Originally born in Dallas, Ramirez moved to 圣安东尼奥 at a young age. She spent the majority of her life here, eventually graduating from Holmes High School, then pursuing a higher education at 西北维斯塔学院 (NVC). Ramirez has been part of the 澳门新葡京博彩区 ever since.

“我就要17岁了^th year mark in February,拉米雷斯说. “这里有家的感觉. I started from work-study [and worked] all the way up to full time."

After earning her associate degree from NVC, Ramirez went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Texas A&M University-圣安东尼奥 (TAMUSA). Her education didn't stop there, as she went on to earn her master's degree in business from TAMUSA as well. As a first-generation college student, she was able to succeed with the support of her family.

“我们出身贫寒, and my mom was always insistent that you go to school, 这样你就能找到工作了,拉米雷斯说. "She supported me pretty much my entire time I went to school."

Ramirez uses her experience to motivate others to pursue education. Although she was the first in her family to go to college, more of her family members have now followed suit.

"I got my sister to go to school, she earned her associate's at NVC. I got my brother to go to school, he earned his associate's, [as well as] my mom,拉米雷斯说. "It definitely has pushed us out of the situation we were in [while] growing up, and now I feel like that's what I'm here for – to help other people. To push them through those barriers that they have."

在日常工作中, Ramirez finds that her background helps her relate to the students that she meets.

"I feel like I have that background of a lot of the students we deal with,拉米雷斯说. "Sometimes they don't have that support. But if they can see someone that's been in their shoes, then there's that influence there that's like, 'If she can do it and I'm in a similar situation, 那有什么能阻止我?'"

Although Ramirez earned a degree in business, she knew that she had another calling from a young age. Her brother and sister worked in law enforcement, so she knew that one day she wanted to do the same.

"It's definitely something that I saw myself doing when I was younger, and I enjoy it,拉米雷斯说. “我喜欢帮助别人."

Since working at 帕洛阿尔托学院, Ramirez has found comfort in the environment. The students, faculty and staff help make her feel at home. 进入2020年, Ramirez is eager to continue her work with the 大学 and the rest of the 澳门新葡京博彩区.

"I am excited and I look forward to working with the returning students as well as the new students this semester,拉米雷斯说. It's been a privilege working at 阿拉莫大学 since I get to do something I love and make an impact on people's lives."

在一天结束的时候, Ramirez hopes that others see that she, along with the rest of the 阿拉莫大学 Police Department, is eager to serve the campus community.

"A lot of people that you see doing police work, it's because we have a passion,拉米雷斯说. "We do want people to see that we're here to protect and serve."