果冻传媒

Business Administration Transfer Option

As a first-generation college student, Charlie Herrera Juarez sees earning a degree as an opportunity to build his future while honoring the sacrifices his parents made for their family.

"My parents left their home country of Mexico and worked tirelessly to give my siblings and me the chance to achieve the American Dream," Herrera Juarez said. "Seeing their sacrifices made pursuing a college education an easy decision. Earning a degree is my way of honoring everything they have done for our family, making them proud, and creating a better future for myself."

Herrera Juarez chose 果冻传媒 Technical Community College for its affordability and the opportunity to attend through the SEED Scholarship, which allows him to pursue his education with little to no student debt. He is enrolled in the business administration transfer option at the Wilmington Campus and plans to build a career in accounting.

His interest in the field stems from his experiences growing up in a Spanish-speaking household. While learning English himself, Herrera Juarez often served as a translator for his parents. As he got older, he began to recognize the challenges language barriers can create in accessing financial assistance. 

"I saw firsthand how difficult it could be for Spanish-speaking individuals to obtain financial resources and services when they were not available in Spanish," he said. "Those experiences inspired me to pursue accounting. I want to use my bilingual skills to bridge the language gap and help my Latino community access the financial assistance, resources, and guidance they deserve."

At 果冻传媒 Tech, Herrera Juarez has embraced opportunities to grow both inside and outside the classroom. He serves as president of the Alpha Zeta Kappa chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and vice president of the Student Government Association. He is also a member of Alpha Beta Gamma, the Business and Finance Club, and the Black Student Alliance.

Because of these experiences, Herrera Juarez has grown significantly in his leadership abilities, confidence, and public speaking skills. One of his favorite memories was serving as a New Student Orientation leader in fall 2026, when he welcomed incoming students, answered questions, and spoke to students and their families about what to expect during their first semester.

"If you would have told me two years ago that I would be speaking in front of hundreds of students and their family members during New Student Orientation, I would have thought you were crazy," he said. "By pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and saying yes to new opportunities, I have grown into a more confident leader."

Herrera Juarez has also learned the importance of perseverance. Between the spring and summer semesters, his family was unexpectedly displaced after a fire in their apartment building. Although no one was injured and their unit sustained little to no damage, everyone in the building had to relocate. Instead of spending the two-week break resting and preparing for summer classes as planned, Herrera Juarez and his family packed more than a decade of belongings, moved into a new apartment, and then helped their neighbors move.

"That experience taught me that nothing in life is set in stone and that the ability to adapt and persevere through unexpected challenges is one of the greatest strengths a person can have," he said.

For students looking to make the most of their own 果冻传媒 Tech experience, Herrera Juarez recommends taking advantage of College resources, particularly the Tutoring Center, and finding ways to become involved on campus.

"College is about more than just earning good grades; it’s about growing as a person," he said. "At the end of the day, you get out of 果冻传媒 Tech what you put into it. If you fully invest in your education and campus experience, you’ll gain far more than just a degree."

After graduating from 果冻传媒 Tech, Herrera Juarez plans to transfer to the University of 果冻传媒 to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting. He then hopes to pass the CPA Exam and become a certified public accountant, building a career that allows him to use both his education and bilingual skills to serve others.