With a fearless attitude toward challenges, Laredo College graduate Guadalupe Medina’s upbringing instilled in her the importance of perseverance, hard work and the power of empathy and compassion. She learned early on that achieving her dreams required resilience.
Born in Rio Grande City, Medina was raised by her mother, who faced many hardships. Her father, much older than her mother, was involved in trafficking, causing instability despite financial abundance.
After enduring years of abuse, Medina’s mother courageously left and became the sole provider for the family. Medina and her family spent summers working in agricultural fields to save for education.
She worked tirelessly to follow her dreams, and at 18 years old, Medina relocated to Laredo on her own, making her the first in her family to pursue higher education.
Medina’s career path has been shaped by Laredo College thanks to its steadfast commitment to student success. The affordable, high-quality education enabled Medina to pay for her education out of pocket while working full-time.
“After deciding to pursue a career in Emergency Medical Services, I researched various programs and found that Laredo College offered an affordable option without compromising on quality,” Medina said. “As I progressed through the courses, I developed a deep passion for the field and subsequently pursued further training to become a paramedic.”
Medina obtained her EMT certification from Laredo College in December 2018 and, despite the global pandemic, earned her paramedic credentials two years later in May 2020. She joined the Laredo Fire Academy in July 2021 and entered the Laredo Fire Department’s fast-track program. She graduated by August 2022 and became a dual certified paramedic fire
fighter.
She noted that when she decided to return to school and pursue a degree in nursing, Laredo College was the clear choice due to its affordability and high ranking.
This May, Medina graduated with her Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at LC in the near future.
According to Assistant Professor of Associate Degree in Nursing Jeannette Johnson, the rigorous program challenges students to grow their critical thinking skills and clinical judgment.
“Guadalupe is an eager individual and does not shy away from new experiences when it comes to learning a new skill,” Johnson said. “She gracefully adapted to our highly competitive, challenging program.”
Johnson is one of the many instructors that contributed to Medina’s success. Whether it was academically related or not, Johnson offered everything from words of encouragement to a shoulder to lean on.
“When faced with life’s unexpected trials, Guadalupe persevered and added another life lesson to her already full life tool belt,” Johnson said.
Laredo College provided her with the essential training to become a paramedic, which she was able to apply through hands-on experience in the field, Medina said. She noted that the fast-paced nature of the job sharpened her decision-making and problem-solving skills, as well as her ability to communicate effectively with patients, families and healthcare professionals.
Her experiences in EMS and firefighting have uniquely prepared her for a future in nursing, a field she is passionate about.
“This purpose fills me with drive and motivates me to continually find ways to alleviate suffering and uplift those around me,” she said. “I envision a future where I can share my knowledge, whether in the field of EMS or nursing.”
Although her role and setting may shift from paramedic to nurse, her mission remains the same: to make a positive impact, no matter how small.