Yashira Ortiz-Hutt knew she wanted a four-year degree but didn’t think she’d be comfortable jumping into a university classroom right away.
“That would have intimidated me, especially at the age of 30,” the 2024 Eastern Iowa Community Colleges’ graduate said.
Ortiz-Hutt chose first to build her confidence in the classrooms at Muscatine Community College (MCC). “I do feel that I’ve flourished. I feel I’ve grown as a person. I feel like I have new potential, a new strength that I can take with me to the next step,” she said.
After earning a Criminal Justice Transfer Major associate's degree, she plans to start classes at St. Ambrose University this fall on a full-ride scholarship.
Ortiz-Hutt, a first-generation student, enrolled in college after she graduated from high school in 2010. “That didn’t work out. I tried again in 2019-2020, but then the pandemic hit,” she said. She continued working, hopping from job to job, moving on when she got bored or realized she had no passion for what she was doing.
“One day at work it just hit me – I needed to do something different. I needed to do something better. And to do that, and to flourish, I needed to have an education,” she said. “I chose MCC because it was close to home, is a small community, and I felt comfortable here. I came back, and I finished. It took me a year and a half, but I did it.”
In between classes, homework, raising a son, and working, she found time and value in getting involved. She served as President of MCC's Phi Theta Kappa chapter and was recognized as an All-Iowa Academic Scholar. She also was honored with the Outstanding Student Award and the Outstanding Sophomore Award.
“It took persistence on my part, discipline, and a lot of support from the community,” she said. “My PTK advisor was with me the whole way through. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have joined.”
Two library staffers she worked with were also a huge source of support, “And I had a couple of teachers who were just great. They helped me, talked to me, and they pushed me. I am very, very happy I had them,” she said.
Her growth and confidence were notable, and she was chosen to be the student speaker at MCC’s Commencement ceremony. Ortiz-Hutt said her next step is to earn a bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology. “I know I want to help people understand things and perhaps help if I can. I want to help make this a better place for everyone, especially my son,” she said. “I am hoping that he knows that it doesn’t matter what you’ve gone through in life; if you set your mind to something you can achieve it.”