[The College] is allowing me to start my degree and not be far away from home. Plus, it’s great because I’m getting a college education at a much lower cost.
For Sabrina Andaluz, Virginia Peninsula Community College is opening doors. Thanks to one of the College's many partnerships, she spent eight weeks conducting scientific research alongside peers at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) this summer as part of a program called "VCU Bridges to the Baccalaureate: Dream to Goal." She is slated to participate again in summer 2016.
Looking to a career in either research science or medical science, Andaluz plans to transfer to VCU to pursue a bachelor's degree in chemistry. She appreciates the perks Virginia Peninsula affords. "[The College] is allowing me to start my degree and not be far away from home. Plus, it's great because I'm getting a college education at a much lower cost," she said.
Rich campus life is another benefit Andaluz enjoys with membership in the Student Government Association, Red Cross Club and the International Club. The full-time student also carves out time for her part-time job at the YMCA and another at a church daycare.