This story was originally published in Vol. 34, Issue 4 (December 2023)
Within WSU Vancouver’s vibrant campus is a melting pot of diverse students, each seeking to enrich their lives with higher education. Amidst this bustling environment, Juan-Carlos Garcia and his daughter Samantha “Sam” Garcia are unique in that they take classes together. Their academic adventure, originating at Clark College, continues at WSU Vancouver, a story that exemplifies the intersection of family, education, and cultural identity.
Samantha Garcia, a DTC (digital technology and culture) major with a passion for the arts, holds an associate degree in fine arts from Clark College. Her father, Juan-Carlos, is charting his academic path through a major in humanities and a minor in fine arts, a journey that mirrored Samantha’s as they both graduated with an associates in fine arts. Samantha, describing herself as introverted, forms a contrast with Juan-Carlos’s extroverted nature, facilitating a unique synergy within this father-daughter duo.
The start of their shared academic venture coincided with the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020- 2021.
“Well, it was kind of like, we wanted to do arts,” said Juan-Carlos Garcia. “And that was an opportunity that came across, and we decided to start taking online classes because there was nothing else to do during the pandemic, you know, we were in lockdown.”
As the world grappled with uncertainty, the Garcias found a solace and purpose in education, finding a lifeline through the online offerings that emerged in response to the isolation of the pandemic.
“I finished my associates at Clark, I got an associates in fine arts there,” said Samantha Garcia. “And then I transferred to WSU. And then as far as the DTC major… I figured that would be pretty helpful going forward to know how to manage that aspect of it.”
Their academic journey seamlessly transitioned from Clark College to WSU Vancouver, a testament to their commitment to education and shared intellectual pursuits. Navigating their daily commute involves varied transportation plans, reflective of their distinct schedules and commitments. However, when the stars align and both parties’ schedules synchronize, the Garcias engage in a practice as unique as their familial bond – carpooling.
“When we’re able to make our times match up, we’ll carpool, and I’ll make him drive,” Samantha Garcia said.
The decision to take classes together has not only enriched their academic pursuits, but their father-daughter bond as well.
“For me personally, I’ve realized that some people may think that it’s kind of weird,” Samantha Garcia said. “But I think that this is an opportunity that not a lot of people get. And I care very much about my family. And it’s also kind of nice to have, like, an automatic friend in the class.”
This unique advantage alleviates the challenge many students face in making connections on a commuter campus like WSU Vancouver, where classes often comprise unfamiliar faces. For the Garcias, each shared class becomes an opportunity for mutual support and companionship, as their support system extends beyond familial ties. The Garcias proudly embrace their cultural heritage, recognizing the challenges faced by minority students on college campuses.
“It’s really nice to see that there’s a very strong Latino community at WSU,” said Samantha Garcia. “I feel like there’s always events that are going on to make us feel like there is a space CILA (Center for Intercultural Learning and Affirmation) is there and then there’s been like, Day of the Dead kind of events stuff like that. I think that’s really nice. And especially like for like if you have people of Latino origin that are wanting to go to school, I think that is something that is very helpful to know that there is.”
As the Garcias champion the opportunities available to marginalized communities, Juan-Carlos Garcia reflected on the subject optimistically.
“There are always opportunities- it is up to the people to take it or not,” said Juan-Carlos Garcia. “You know, it doesn’t matter. Where are you from? Or what’s your background? But the chances are there.”
In a world where educational paths often diverge, the Garcia duo stands as a beacon of shared academic pursuits, cultural pride, and familial bonds.