After years of hardship, student finds support, hope and inspiration at STCC

Drew Torres on the STCC campus.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Guadalupe “Drew” Torres arrived at Springfield Technical Community College driven to succeed and determined to put a difficult past behind him.

Over the past academic year, Torres played basketball for STCC and was elected as the Student Government Association president. He excelled academically, earning a place on the fall dean’s list. His goal is to one day earn a nursing degree from STCC.

Torres feels optimistic about his future and expresses gratitude for the support he’s received at STCC.

But his journey has not been easy. He described a difficult and chaotic childhood. Growing up in Texas, he spent time in foster care. He said he “lost” his parents. His father was sent to prison when Torres was in third grade. His mother was in and out of jail. At times, he was worried about his siblings as they faced food insecurity.

Drew Torres in a Feb. 17, 2022, basketball game against Roxbury Community College (photo by Leon Nguyen).

During his senior year in high school, dreaming of a better life, he saved up enough money to move to North Carolina. But he returned to Texas after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and once again felt lost.

He did not give up hope. Torres seized an opportunity to move to a relative’s home in Torrington, Conn. He found work and saved money to get a car. His relative knew Michael Booker, the STCC men’s basketball coach. In the summer of 2021, Torres applied at STCC after talking to Booker.

“I got registered for this school in less than a week,” he said.

Torres was hired to work for the Academic Leadership Association, which partners with Western Massachusetts schools to identify areas where students are struggling and provide interventions around those behaviors. He mentors middle school aged children in his role.

Torres also found other work to help make ends meet.

“I slowly but surely got my grades up,” he said. “It’s crazy to see where I was at the beginning to where I am now.”

Basketball coach Michael Booker recalled first meeting Torres in late August.

“He had no sense of where or what he wanted to do post high school. He lived an hour away from the school but really wanted to attend STCC,” Booker said.

I can share my story, and people might say, ‘Oh, his story is so sad.’ But there is somebody out there, probably on this campus, that has it way worse than I ever have it. Drew Torres, STCC student

The coach said he was impressed with Torres’ initiative after two quick conversations. Torres managed to apply to school, enroll in classes, and get a car in just three or four days.

“He had a motivation and determination you don't always see in a 19 year old – especially not a 19 year old who was basically all on his own with little guidance,” Booker said. “No matter what adversity that seemed to arise throughout the semester, he found a way to make it through.”

Torres said he was grateful to Booker and other staff at STCC, including athletic director Jenkin Gould and other coaches who offered support. He said his instructors at STCC were always available to help him.

“Both of my English teachers personally gave me their book because I didn’t have money to pay for my own book,” he said. “They saw I was hard working.”

He recalls sitting with his computer basics teacher in a classroom. “I even shed a tear with her because they care so much,” he said. “And knowing that someone cares about you and what you’re doing in life, it adds fuel to your fire. This school is the reason why I am who I am.”

STCC offers a range of academic and non-academic support for students like Torres. Services include but are not limited to the following:

Torres has benefited from the services at STCC. He is a MILE student and a peer mentor in the MILE summer bridge program. He has worked with the staff in TRIO.

Jose Lopez Figueroa, director of CAS, described Torres as hard working and dedicated.

“He has overcome non-academic barriers and hardships that no student should have to experience,” Lopez-Figueroa said. “His resilience is admirable, and through all of it, he still managed to maintain a GPA over 3.5. Drew is an inspiration and am honored to work with him throughout his academic journey.”

Miguel Maria, director of MILE, said he admires Torres’ resilience and drive to help not only himself but others.

“He is an exemplary young man who has risen to excel academically and professionally, all while facing barriers to which most students have never had to be exposed. I am privileged to be able to work with Drew and watch him shine during his time here at STCC,” Maria said.

Torres said he would not have succeeded without STCC’s support system.

“Going through everything I’ve been through … I love this school,” he said. “STCC has made me who I am. When I didn’t have any food in my stomach and I was starving, the coaches helped me out.”

The Athletic Department referred Torres to the Center for Access Services, which provides food assistance and other support.

Torres said he feels gratitude to the STCC community, from the coaches to the faculty to the staff in support services.

“I would not be sitting in front of you right now if it wasn’t for this school,” he said. “I give them a round of applause, a 10 out of 10 for everything they’ve done for me.”

Despite the barriers and hardships he has faced, Torres says he understands others at STCC might have it worse.

“I’m blessed to be where I am,” Torres said. “I can share my story, and people might say, ‘Oh, his story is so sad.’ But there is somebody out there, probably on this campus, that has it way worse than I ever have it. Your life might be bad, but it’s not as bad as others. Use what you have and focus on the positives to keep getting better.”

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu