PBSC helps husband-and-wife duo redefine their future

[embed height="208" width="350"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsC7yrN4jPE[/embed] In the summer of 2022, Miguel Gomez and Ada Hernandez spent 11 days trekking across Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico before reaching the United States. Their dream was simple: to build a better future through education. The husband-and-wife duo left their home country of Cuba due to a lack of jobs and opportunities, ongoing social unrest and religious persecution. After receiving political asylum, they began the journey of rebuilding their lives in the U.S. Starting over was far from easy. With no previous work experience, Hernandez began cleaning homes and caring for the elderly, while Gomez worked long days in construction. But they remained focused on their goal: education. [caption id="attachment_26499" align="alignright" width="450"] Ada Hernandez and Miguel Gomez graduated with their Associate in Arts degrees.[/caption] The couple researched local colleges but felt overwhelmed and lost, unfamiliar with the American college system. Everything changed when a mutual friend connected them with Moises Pena, student account services manager at PBSC. Pena guided them through the admissions process, helped them register for English placement exams and gave them the confidence they needed to pursue higher education. “Thanks to him, we’re here today and about to graduate. He’s been like a counselor, always supporting and guiding us,” Hernandez said. Despite facing a significant language barrier, Gomez and Hernandez wasted no time. They tested into PBSC’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program and began classes in Fall 2023. “The English classes at Palm Beach State were excellent and helped us a lot with work and daily life,” Hernandez said. “We always wanted to study and had many dreams, but in our country it was impossible. Achieving it here has been wonderful.” While at PBSC, Gomez and Hernandez discovered a passion for working with children with autism. They started working at Healing Palms Behavioral Center in Boynton Beach as registered behavior technicians. Balancing work and school was challenging, but the new role helped them gain a clearer understanding of their future career path. In just a year and a half, Gomez and Hernandez not only completed the EAP program but also earned their Associate in Arts degrees in spring 2025. But their educational journey doesn’t end there. Both have been accepted into PBSC’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management program and are already enrolled in five courses for the summer 2025 term. They plan to complete their bachelor’s degrees by spring 2026 and begin pursuing master’s degrees that same summer. Their long-term goal is to become board-certified behavior analysts and eventually open a clinic serving children with autism, a way to give back to the community that welcomed them. “Miguel and Ada never gave up, even when the path was tough. It’s been incredible to watch their growth, not just academically, but personally,” Pena said. “Their story reminds us that education can transform lives and that with persistence and community anything is possible.” Reflecting on their journey, the couple is grateful for the opportunities they’ve found and the people who helped them along the way. “The American Dream isn’t just about material things. It’s about the opportunity this country gives you to grow, to dream without limits and to fight and achieve whatever you want,” Gomez said. “I’ll always be grateful to Palm Beach State College for opening doors and to the professors for their patience and support. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today or have the dreams we have for the future.”