Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow / Livestream
From an early age, Elena Alicea knew she wanted to spend her life helping children and families.
Growing up in a foster home, Alicea understood the impact home life can have on a child’s well-being.
She has spent her professional life in secondary education, but she wanted to pursue higher education to become as effective as she can in the social work field.
Now she is a Grand Canyon University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral health science.
“I have always wanted to be a family advocate, a liaison or a social worker,” Alicea said. “I am really passionate about helping children with their mental health issues and think it’s really important to help families.
“GCU has been transformative. Even as an online student, I still felt connected to the school. My instructors helped me feel comfortable in the schoolwork I was doing, and as I look forward to the future, I do so with pride and the hope of inspiring others.”
Alicea’s desire for higher education first piqued when her place of work, Head Start in Seattle, encouraged her to pursue a college degree to meet evolving professional expectations.
She enrolled in an associate program in general education at Green River Community College in 2018.
But her college journey came to an abrupt halt shortly after enrolling.
A fatal car accident took the lives of her husband, 5-year-old daughter, infant son and nephew.
“The grief was overwhelming,” Alicea said. “I didn’t know what direction to go in, and I questioned a lot why this happened: Why me?”
“But as a parent, I knew I couldn’t just give up like that for the sake of my surviving child and in memory of my loved ones.”
When Alicea began her associate degree, her children watched her work on homework during late nights. One day, her oldest daughter saw a college graduation commercial on TV and told her mom, “When you graduate, we will be there holding a sign, saying we are proud of you, mom,” Alicea said of the memory.
These words became Alicea’s source of motivation in the moment and especially after the tragic loss.
When she attended a work conference in 2020, she met a GCU representative who encouraged her to research GCU programs for higher education. She couldn’t ignore the urge to finish what she started for her family.
Passionate about helping children and families, Alicea pursued behavioral health science while working as a middle school paraeducator. After years of balancing a packed schedule with work, school and home life, she walked across the Global Credit Union Arena stage at Wednesday morning’s commencement ceremony.
While doing so, she wore a pendant around her neck with a group photo of her parents, honoring them and those she's lost with the long-awaited achievement.
“My (late) daughter’s words became a source of motivation during my most difficult moments, and there were times I wanted to give up, but I carried her message with me every step of the way.
“My family had supported me then, and this is to honor them for supporting me. Now that I have graduated, it feels both joyful and emotional. There were many moments along the way where I felt like I was failing and didn’t think I would actually make it to this point, so achieving my degree means everything to me.”
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