Adriana Fuenmayor Finds Community and New Opportunities at CFCC

Adriana Fuenmayor is originally from Venezuela and spent time living in Spain before moving to the United States with her family. Once here, she enrolled in Cape Fear Community College’s free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

“The program was amazing,” Adriana said. “You’re not just learning a language. You’re also building a community.”

In class, she met people from countries around the world, including Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, China, and Guatemala. She built friendships and found support as she adjusted to life in a new country.

“Cape Fear Community College was my home during the past three years. It was my base,” she said.

The experience left Adriana eager to share what she’d found with others. She recommended CFCC to family members, friends, and neighbors, several of whom went on to enroll in classes.

“When people see your progress, they say, ‘OK, maybe I can do it, too,'” she said.

Starting Over, One Day at a Time

Adriana knows what it means to start over. She moved to Spain with one suitcase before eventually coming to the United States with her husband, daughter, and son.

“It’s not easy starting from zero,” Adriana said.

Rather than worry about where she might be years from now, she focuses on what she can do today and takes each step as it comes.

“Have short goals, you know? I don’t know what will happen in 10 years, but I can change today. You can do better today. If not today, try again tomorrow.”

That approach carried into her time at CFCC. After spending two years in the ESL program, Adriana continued taking English in the Workplace classes while looking for ways to build on her education and move toward a new career.

Working Toward Something New

At the beginning of 2026, Adriana enrolled in CFCC’s teacher assistant training program. She continued her English classes while working full-time, leaving little time to rest.

“It was difficult. I had to sacrifice a lot of time. I thank God for giving me the energy I needed to continue,” she said.

By then, Adriana had already spent two years working as a custodian at an elementary school. She completed her teacher assistant training in the spring and finished English in the Workplace shortly afterward.

When the 2026-27 school year began, she returned to the same school in a new role as a teacher assistant.

“I was so happy that I was given the opportunity to become a teacher assistant at the school I was already working at,” she said. “I had already built relationships with the students and staff.”

Although her job changed, Adriana’s approach to her work stayed the same.

“When I was cleaning, I cleaned with love. Now I’m teaching, and I teach with love,” she said. “Everything that I do, I do it with love in my heart.”

Looking Ahead

Adriana hopes to pursue a career in social work and buy a house for her family. For now, she’s focused on her new role at the elementary school and continuing to build on what she’s learned.

“I hope my story inspires others to come to Cape Fear Community College, connect with the right people, and stay committed.”

Learn more about CFCC’s free English as a Second Language courses by visiting cfcc.edu/esl.