From ESL Student to Criminal Justice Graduate
Gabriela Garcia came to Cape Fear Community College to improve her English and prepare for college. She enrolled in the college’s ESL program, not realizing it would lead her somewhere bigger.
“Criminal justice was just a childhood dream of mine,” Gabriela said. “I used to play games where I was a detective, but I never thought I could actually do it.”
That dream started to feel possible when she met Dr. Cindy Britton.
The Right Mentor at the Right Time
At the time, Dr. Britton was teaching ESL courses. From the beginning, she saw something in Gabriela.
“Gabriela’s attitude and her presentation in class were very professional, and she moved through the program very quickly,” Dr. Britton said.
“When I see students who are strong in English, I ask them to help others, and she was one of the first to say, ‘Hey, I’ll help.’ She showed leadership very early on.”
Dr. Britton also took time to ask about Gabriela’s goals and share her own professional experiences.
Before transitioning into teaching criminal justice, Dr. Britton spent more than 12 years as a Juvenile Justice Officer with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and built a career spanning over 30 years in mental health. Those conversations made a huge impact on Gabriela.
“When I found out Dr. Britton was transitioning from teaching ESL to criminal justice, I took all her classes that I could,” Gabriela said.
A Purpose Takes Shape
Now that she is preparing to graduate, Gabriela is certain she made the right choice. Her interest has continued to grow, especially in juvenile justice.
“Juvenile justice caught my attention more and more,” she said. “Hopefully, I can make a difference before they get to adulthood.”
“I want to be the positive that they see. If all they see during the day is negative, I want to be that one positive.”
Dr. Cindy Britton and Gabriela Garcia at a Criminal Justice Club meeting
That sense of purpose comes directly from the mentorship she experienced along the way.
“Dr. Britton was a mentor to me,” she said. “She took the time to ask me what my dreams and goals were and actually helped me achieve them. And I also want to do that for other people.”
After graduation, Gabriela plans to continue her education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington to pursue a career in criminal justice.
To learn more about CFCC’s Criminal Justice Technology program, visit cfcc.edu/criminal-justice.
