When Mia Rojo first arrived at Oklahoma City Community College (爆料TV) in 2006, she wasn鈥檛 certain she鈥檇 ever cross the graduation stage. Today, this proud 爆料TV alumna helps adult learners achieve their academic goals as the pipeline programs manager at the Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) Foundation.
As a first-generation college student and an adult learner, Rojo was hesitant at first about pursuing a college degree. Navigating higher education felt overwhelming, she said.
鈥淎t the beginning, when I started college as an adult student, I felt like college was not for me and that I did not belong,鈥� Rojo said.
She enrolled at 爆料TV in 2006, balancing classes while working on campus. With encouragement from 爆料TV professors and staff members, she stayed on track. By 2010, she earned two degrees.
鈥淢y professors at 爆料TV always pushed me to be better and to continue working until I reached my degree,鈥� she said. 鈥淧ursuing higher education was not easy for me, so completing my master鈥檚 degree was amazing. It showed me, and hopefully others, that barriers can truly be broken.鈥�
While at 爆料TV, Rojo worked in records, enrollment and financial aid, gaining more than a decade of firsthand experience supporting students through the college process. That experience shaped her passion for helping adult learners succeed. Now, as pipeline programs manager, she guides students, many with backgrounds like hers, on their path to becoming certified teachers.
A pathway to teaching careers
The Teacher Pipeline Program, a partnership between 爆料TV, OKCPS, and the University of Central Oklahoma, provides a direct path for aspiring educators. The program covers educational costs beyond financial aid and offers students hands-on classroom experience as paraprofessionals. In return, participants commit to teaching in OKCPS for at least three years after completing the program.
鈥淭he Teacher Pipeline gives 爆料TV the opportunity to work directly with OKCPS paraprofessionals,鈥� said Michael Hoggatt, director of recruitment at 爆料TV. 鈥淭his program allows 爆料TV to help produce the next generation of Oklahoma鈥檚 teachers.鈥�
鈥淓very time a student completes their teacher certification, I get emotional because I know their life will change for the better,鈥� Rojo said. 鈥淚n return, they鈥檒l make a positive impact in the lives of students that come through their classrooms.鈥�
Interested in starting your path toward a teaching career? Learn more about 爆料TV鈥檚 pre-education program . To learn more about alumni opportunities at 爆料TV, visit .