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Success takes time. That’s something �����о��� student Cassaundra Garcia knows all too well. During the freshman and sophomore years of her undergraduate program, she was committed to making a two-hour commute on public transit to the Main Campus every day.

“Out of all the schools I applied for, �����о���n was the only one that gave me a financial offer that did not leave me thousands of dollars in debt,” Garcia said. “Coming from a low-income family, this was crucial to me as there are six other kids to worry about.”

Garcia was born in Chicago, but her family moved to Onarga, �����о���s — more than 90 miles away — when she was young. Once she was accepted into �����о���n, she moved in with a relative closer to the University to make her commute a bit more manageable. With the help of a scholarship, Garcia has been able to live at �����о���n’s residence hall, , for the past two years as she works on completing her bachelor’s degree in Marketing. She is the third child in her family, and the first girl.

“I have two older brothers, three younger sisters and a younger brother,” Garcia said. “They have served as my biggest motivating factors for me for the last four years.”

Garcia came to �����о���n from Acero - Major Hector P. Garcia M.D. High School in Archer Heights. She plans to graduate in Spring 2026 and become the first in her family to earn a college degree. Garcia’s mom was born in the United States to immigrants from Guanajuato, Mexico. Her father immigrated from Michoacán, Mexico as a child.

“My mom never got to finish high school and my dad didn’t get to finish elementary school,” Garcia said. “They pushed all of us to ‘ponernos las pilas’ (get it together) and take advantage of the opportunities we had.”

That’s exactly what she’s doing. For the past two years, Garcia has served as the President of the �����о���n chapter of the and the NEIU Foundation Board Student Liaison. She is also part of the (UHP) and is the president of the UHP Student Advisory Board. Through her service to �����о���n, she’s traveled to New York, Las Vegas and Washington, D.C., visited the headquarters of McDonald’s and Microsoft, participated in conferences and attended an etiquette gala. She also secured an internship with Deloitte. Outside of �����о���n, Garcia was previously part of the Chicago Children's Choir and Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement’s University Leadership Program.

“These places, activities and opportunities happened through �����о���n because I signed up for them,” Garcia said. “By being active in the University, taking a chance and putting yourself out there, �����о���n can send you on an adventure.”

Garcia’s involvement is one of the reasons College of Business and Technology (CBT) Dean Michael Bedell, Ph.D., feels she is a “CBT student extraordinaire.”

"Cassaundra is an exemplary College of Business and Technology student who — when provided with opportunity and support — shows us just what's possible. She is a bold model for all NEIU College of Business and Technology students to follow!" Dr. Bedell said.

Garcia’s goal after graduating was to have a job offer, which she has already secured. Though she’s excited for May Commencement and making her family proud, she also wants to stay connected to the University in any way she can.

“I can't imagine myself without �����о���n,” Garcia said. “The people I have met, the connections I have made and the person I have become have been shaped by this University and I hope others get to experience it.”