Born in Oakland, California, and raised for many years in Colima, Mexico, Maria Arteaga Toscano returned to the United States determined to build a better future. When she arrived in Pasco, she took whatever work she could find—fast food jobs and fieldwork—before landing a position at an apple packing plant. The environment there was difficult and hostile. She experienced bullying, became sick multiple times, and was eventually pushed out of the job.
That experience became a turning point. She decided to pursue her GED and enrolled at CBC, hoping education would open new doors. Along the way, she learned that many scholarships were unavailable to her because her program was considered “too short,” even though it still required significant time and money. The tuition she had already paid couldn’t be transferred, so she had to continue covering costs out of pocket while trying to navigate a confusing scholarship system.
One of the biggest barriers was a lack of clear guidance. GPA requirements were never properly explained at the beginning, leading her to take unnecessary classes that lowered her GPA and disqualified her from certain resources. By the time she understood how the system worked, the consequences were already in place.
Class scheduling added another layer of difficulty. Many courses are only offered at limited times or in person, making it hard for students who must work to support themselves. Today, she is studying robotics and continues to move forward despite setbacks and the added stress caused by current political and immigration challenges.
Her story is a reminder that students need clearer communication, fairer access to scholarships—including for short certificate programs—and systems that recognize how hard working students are already trying. Even with the obstacles, she keeps going, determined to reach her goals.