When Andrea Zamora began taking classes at ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë, she wasn't aiming for the Ivy League. Like many first-generation college students, she was finding her footing––navigating course loads, work responsibilities, and the quiet uncertainty of what came next. But what started as a modest beginning in a community college classroom soon turned into a transformative academic journey that will continue this fall when she begins a fully funded PhD in English Literature at Cornell University.
"I wasn't a particularly strong student when I started," Andrea admits. "But with the guidance and support of my professors, I learned how to succeed academically and enjoy learning. Especially in my Honors classes, which nurtured my growing curiosity through their discussion-based formats."
During her two years at ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë, Andrea gained confidence in the classroom and found her first professional opportunities. She worked as a Student Success Specialist for Dr. Rachel Sims and Dr. Bob Gibney, a role that blended teaching assistantship and peer tutoring elements. There, her interest in education and mentorship began to take root.
"As someone who's naturally shy and introverted, I wouldn't have believed I could be a good teacher," she says. "But the job pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to embrace public speaking and develop leadership qualities I didn't know I had."
After completing her associate's degree, Andrea transferred to Arizona State University, majoring in English Literature, focusing on British women's novels of the 19th and 20th centuries. The shift to university, while exciting, came with its challenges. "Transferring to ASU from ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë was very simple logistically," she says. "But a larger school like ASU can come as a bit of a culture shock." She quickly noticed the difference in class sizes and student-professor dynamics, but she also recognized that her community college background gave her an unexpected advantage. In PC writing classes, Andrea had received generous feedback on her work, so by the time she got to ASU's upper-division English classes, she was used to taking constructive criticism and implementing it. "That gave me an edge," she said.
During Andrea's master's level studies under Dr. Devoney Looser, her research interests began to crystallize, culminating in a thesis that examined whiteness and the Gothic house in works by Charlotte Brontë and Agatha Christie. "I didn't realize I wanted to pursue a PhD until the final year of my bachelor's degree," she says. "But by then, I had the confidence and foundation to take that leap." She plans to continue this research at Cornell, expanding her inquiry into questions of gender, sexuality, and race in Gothic and detective fiction.
The professors who mentored her—particularly those at ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë who spoke candidly about their graduate school paths––helped shape her academic journey. "As the first person in my family to pursue graduate education, those insights were invaluable," she says. "They helped me navigate a path I hadn't seen modeled before."
Looking ahead, Andrea is excited to return to the classroom as a student and an educator. She's also committed to using her position to uplift others—especially non-traditional and marginalized students who may not see themselves reflected in academia. "I'm very proud of my background and the experiences that have brought me to this point," Andrea says. "I fully intend to let them shine during my time at Cornell. It's important to remember our roots and build support networks whenever possible, especially in the present moment when there is so much uncertainty around us."
Though her career goals have evolved since she first dreamed of becoming an editor, her love for literature has remained constant. And in many ways, her academic success is a testament to the adaptability of an English degree. "I've never regretted studying English because my degrees have proven incredibly adaptable, no matter where my aspirations have taken me," she says. "I've completed internships in tutoring, marketing, and publishing. I even worked for an adoption agency," she says.
As she prepares to move across the country, Andrea carries the lessons from every step of her journey—from quiet moments in Honors seminars to the lively discussions she led as a peer mentor. And she's ready to pay it forward. "Strong writing and communication skills are valuable in virtually any field. The possibilities are countless. A degree in the humanities matters."
An English Literature degree provides the writing, communication, and analytical skills needed for in-demand careers across industries, from local small-business to global nonprofits. The discussion-based format of PC's Honors program also boosts academic, social, and personal development.