The meaning of education and its teaching continues to evolve as the world changes. Due to this, the generational divide often seems as pronounced as ever. Values, experiences, and perspectives can create rifts between the young and older populations. However, the story of Gloria and Isabel defies these societal rifts, their mother-daughter bond, a powerful testament to how the shared pursuit of education can unite even the most disparate generations.

Gloria, a current business school student pursuing her Master’s degree in Health Administration, and Isabel, a recent business school graduate, are beautiful examples of how education can traverse through generations and cement the bond of a mother and daughter forever. In an interview, I had the privilege to inquire about this dynamic duo that recently shared their inspirational story of beating societal rifts and an exemplary testimony to the unifying force of continuous learning across generations.

Suppose I learned one thing from my interview with Gloria and Isabel: that education is not merely a means to an end but a lifelong pursuit that binds families and communities together. Gloria became a mother at the age of 15. This could have easily derailed her academic aspirations, but instead, it fueled a fire within her. “I received my undergraduate degree in psychology at Metro in 2010 and decided to start a career in healthcare administration. And also help support Isabel while she went through her undergrad,” she explained.

Given the age at which Gloria became a mother, many skeptics doubted both of their educational prowess. Isabel recalled instances where teachers made insensitive comments about her mother’s young age, implying that Isabel would follow in her footsteps. However, these challenges only fueled their determination as these doubts were met with unwavering resolve, proving the critics wrong repeatedly with academic excellence.

Isabel witnessed her mother’s sacrifices firsthand and found inspiration in her dedication.

“Knowing that my mom put in the work and effort to go through her undergrad, I was right there with her… When I chose to go to college after high school, it was a big motivation to stay on top of my grades.”

While in school, Isabel was provided an internship opportunity in the insurance industry and was able to stay on full time after graduation. She continues to grow her knowledge of the field, hoping to expand in the corporate risk management field some day. “Who knows, maybe someday Isabel will go back to CU Denver to get that masters degree herself,” beams Gloria. Isabel also enjoys giving back to her community and works with organizations such as Servicios De La Raza. She says it’s a way to stay connected to her family roots.

Their bond, forged through their unique shared experiences and a mutual respect for education, morphed the traditional parent-child dynamic into a rather unique friendship. “We’ve always been pretty close,” Gloria said. Isabel concurred, “I tell everybody my mom’s my best friend,” encapsulating the depth of their connection, a bond strengthened by their shared pursuit of knowledge.

Gloria is paving her future now and was recently awarded the 2024 Bachrach Scholarship for her excellence in healthcare administration. This scholarship is given to only one student in the United States who’s enrolled in a healthcare administration graduate program. With this prestigious scholarship, Gloria plans to “continue to invest in her future as a first-generation Latin American healthcare worker in the Denver Community for the advancement of Revenue Cycle Management with the design and execution of clinical billing optimization”. 

Gloria and Isabel’s story serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of education, not only as a means of personal growth but as a bridge that connects generations, cultures, and life experiences. 

“In our family, the next generation is encouraged to pursue higher education due to its immense value. Having a strong support system has been paramount and invaluable through this journey in my family,” says Gloria.

“Isabelle and I look forward to our ‘continuous learning’ journey together. After all, we are ‘besties for the resties!’”

Their commitment to learning has forged an unbreakable bond that transcends age and circumstance, reminding us that education is not merely a pursuit of knowledge but a shared journey that continuously evolves a person and the relationships around them.