Marisol Perez

Truman College Star Scholar and soon-to-be proud alumna Marisol Perez has a tough decision to make: where to transfer to earn her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education?

Marisol has been admitted to Elmhurst College, Concordia University, and Eastern Illinois University, and is waiting to hear from Northeastern Illinois University before making a final decision. Her plan is to go wherever she can get the most financial support so she can pursue her dream of teaching children from preschool to second grade. She was inspired by her mom, who teaches CPS third graders in a bilingual classroom, and will earn her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education this summer.

She chose to attend Truman College as a senior at Disney Magnet High School because while she was accepted to four-year universities, the promise of free tuition and books was too good to pass up. And while she was at Truman she was a Star Ambassador, talking to high school students about her experience, as well as playing on the volleyball team and basketball team, in addition to managing the baseball team and being part of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

She advises high school students who are thinking about being Star Scholars to do it, saying “1,000% take this opportunity. You are taking the same general education classes as you would at a four year – and for free. College is what you make of it.”

Marisol’s parents – her biggest supporters – are proud of everything she has achieved and look forward to seeing her earn her bachelor’s degree. She says the last few months of the pandemic haven’t changed how she is thinking about transferring in the fall – nothing will stop her from attaining her goals.

Learn about the Star Scholarship and other scholarships for City Colleges students here.