Erika Delgado

What does Commencement/graduation mean to you?

Graduation to me is a completion of a goal that I have worked tremendously hard for.

Did you have to overcome any difficult challenges during your education to make it to graduation? If so, what were they?

Over the two years that I was in NLU I faced many challenges. I have a health problem that caused me to loose mobility in my hands and my feet. My first semester I had a very bad flare up due to my arthritis and it affected me mentally and physically. I was taking three courses and NLU was all new to me so I was still in the process of learning how to use D2L etc. I had many sleepless nights due to all the pain I had in all my body due to the inflammation being really high, I managed to get strength and do my best to complete all my assignments even though I was in a very terrible place with my health. I am also a single mom and seeing my son so little I knew that I had to push through and I knew I couldn't drop out of school. After having many doctors visits and being on all sorts of medication and injections my doctor was finally able to control my flare up. A year later I faced one of most difficult obstacles of not being able to pass my content test. I would study day and night and unfortunately I didn't pass by the deadline that I was given so everything had to get pushed a semester over. That only motivated me to study harder and not give up. It was many months of stress, but thankfully I passed my fifth time. When I received the paper saying that I had passed I cried so much because I couldn't believe it. Here I am now about to graduate in a couple of weeks and I couldn't be anymore proud of myself of how all these obstacles made me stronger and only motivated to push myself more for my son. Class of 2024 We Did It!!! 

What has your experience at NLU been like?

My NLU experience has been great. I've had many amazing professors that have all helped me grow as an individual and as professional educator. NLU has an amazing support system!! 

What are your plans for the future?
My plans are to enroll in grad school to obtain my master's degree in Curriculum and structure.