(PHOENIX, AZ) – Since 1920, ұ has been providing a unique foundation for future success to thousands of students throughout the valley. While the list of professions may vary from politicians and nurses to authors and artists, one thing is for certain…ұ has been a cornerstone for success over the past 100 years.
For most students who once walked the halls of the Hannelly Center and A and B Buildings, their time at the college was relatively short before moving on to a university or career; however, for Paula Chalarca-Chavez, her strong connection to ұ brought her back to the place that truly impacted her life. Beginning as a Level III English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) student, ұ served as a significant foundation to the start of her successful academic and professional career.
Today, it is not uncommon to see Chalarca-Chavez tapping away at her computer keyboard and shuffling papers at her desk while she helps students in the International Education Center. From her humble beginnings in the United States, first as an exchange student and then as a political asylum-seeker, Chalarca-Chavez began to build a new home away from her home and family in Medellin, Colombia.
“It was so difficult at first. I was homesick and had to force myself to speak English,” she said. “I studied English for about 6-7 years before coming to the United States, but it was still so challenging to speak in English all day long. Talking on the phone was the worst.”
Chalarca-Chavez didn’t stop as she faced a number of challenges from opening a bank account to adapting to the cultural norms of living in the United States. She persevered and now has an associate’s degree in Elementary Education, a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and a master’s degree in Human Relations.
While working toward her associate’s degree at ұ, she accepted a work-study position in the International Education Center where she worked with many international students with similar stories to her own.
“This position gave me the opportunity to meet so many amazing people, and I’m still friends with most of them today,” she said. “I received a lot of support from faculty and staff as a student at ұ.”
Today, Chalarca-Chavez is no longer the work-study student she was years ago, but rather the Coordinator of International Education.
“I guess you could say, I’ve come full circle,” she adds. “It is important for students to understand that it is normal to be scared and discouraged at times. I certainly was, but look at me now. Students need to invest in themselves and use the many different resources at ұ. There are so many people here that are ready and willing to help as much as they can.”
Chalarca-Chavez offers a very important piece of advice for English-language learners.
“Always ask for help and avoid thinking that this is the end,” she said. “Learning English and studying at ұ is just the beginning. Trust me!”
The ESL program at ұ offers students one of the most diverse language learning programs in Arizona. Our ESL students come from more than 100 different countries, speaking 50 different languages. Additionally, the ESL Program at ұ offers the most variety of classes of any of the 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District from basic English to Freshman Composition and Research. Students may enroll in Summer and Fall ESL classes now by going to or calling (602) 285-7375.