Search | Menu DREAM Scholar Strives To Elevate First-Gen Latino Students
Madison College student Patricio Tinoco aims to help people suffering from dementia. His inspiration came when he volunteered at Agrace Hospice and saw the sadness people had after visiting their loved ones.
“I had to do something, be more proactive. That’s what I want to study—biochemistry—and help research that specific area of memory disease.” Tinoco said.
Tinoco’s drive and ambition were honored this year as a DREAM Scholar. One of eight selected nationwide, Tinoco networked with others at the DREAM 2024 convention in Orlando, Florida. Most importantly, he learned leadership skills.
“What I want to do is be a mentor and advocate, especially for those like me—first-gen Latinos,” Tinoco said.
Achieving the Dream
Education wasn’t a big deal for Tinoco until he enrolled in the alternative Capital High School in Madison. Surprised by his elevated classroom progress, Tinoco asked his advisors for more.
“I wanted to challenge myself, so they connected me with the Madison College Gateway to College program,” Tinoco said “I was earning college credit and high school diploma credits at the same time.”
Gateway to College was the springboard Tinoco needed to brush up on some remedial learning, elevate skills of interest, and encompass him in a supportive mentoring environment.
Renuka Gunawardena, Madison College Gateway to College support advisor, suggested Tinoco volunteer at Agrace Hospice, where he found the inspiration to be a biochemist. She also gently nudged him to apply for the DREAM Scholar, and despite what Tinoco calls a “nerve-wracking” experience of multiple interviews, he is thrilled with the results.
“I called Renuka when I got the news that I was a DREAM Scholar. It was great hearing her voice on the other line filled with joy,” Tinoco said.
Achieving the Dream’s DREAM Scholars program allows community college students to grow into leaders and culminates into an annual conference, like the one Tinoco attended in Orlando this February. He stays connected with other DREAM Scholars throughout the U.S.
“It’s a great group,” Tinoco said. “It’s great to figure out what they’re doing at their community colleges.
“That was the big thing that I took away from the conference, to represent and advocate for students, especially Latinx,” Tinoco said.
Be a Leader
Leveraging the skills Tinoco learned as a DREAM Scholar motivates him to help others. Now, he tutors 12 hours a week at the Madison College Student Achievement Center.
“That was the big thing that I took away from the conference, to represent and advocate for students, especially Latinx,” Tinoco said.
Tinoco’s goal is to bring focus to first-generation Latino students and other underrepresented student populations. He says it’s important to see this community thrive and serve as role models in the middle and upper levels of higher education. Being part of the DREAM Scholar initiative helped Tinoco with that.
The Achieving the Dream’s DREAM Scholar Conference develops its longstanding belief that community colleges, with their access to learning and social mobility, help eliminate inequities in students’ educational and workforce outcomes. Tinoco sees the power of the opportunity that the DREAM Scholar honor has given him.
Tinoco recently learned of a program that focuses on Latinos and Black students and provides them with embedded tutoring in historically challenging math, science, and writing classes. The results were amazing, Tinoco says, with more than half of the student participants increasing grades by one level.
“That’s something that I would like to start at Madison College,” Tinoco said.
With an eye for future initiatives, Tinoco also focuses on tutoring students from Monday-Thursday at the Student Achievement Center.
“Some students may not know what resources are available or have never read a textbook, so I guide them through study methods,” Tinoco said. “I also like to learn how students approach a problem and see where I can help with their process.”
Tinoco is committed to doing his part to help other students. In May, he will graduate and hopes to transfer to a four-year university to study biochemistry.
