Cynthia Galvan with a student in her classroom at MATC's Oak Creek Campus
Cynthia Galvan is an instructional chairperson and instructor for the English department in MATC’s School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She graduated from MATC and went on to achieve two master’s degrees. Her educational pursuits continue while she studies for her doctorate.
You have achieved two master’s degrees and are pursuing your doctorate. Who inspired your educational journey?
I was influenced primarily by my family. My grandmother was a business owner and she inspired me to learn about interactions with people — the importance of friendships and establishing connection. My paternal grandmother taught me all the business savvy I know. I didn’t know I was learning that — it was just part of the process.
My maternal grandmother went to school to be a seamstress. When I saw she had a college degree, I thought, “Wow, I could do that. I could go to college.”
In fact, my mom came to MATC after having children to get her General Educational Development (GED) certificate. She went on to get a one-year Office Technician technical diploma and worked at the college.
My dad only attended school through the sixth grade but he always said it was important to have education. He has seen how lack of education was a disadvantage in his life.
They are the people who shined the light — the light of college. My children have gone on to pursue higher education. Two daughters will be attending MATC in 2019.
How do you guide potential students who are thinking about college?
There’s room for everyone in this world. We determine where we want to be. For some professions, you do have to go to college and get the degree. At the end of the day, somebody is going to ask you if you have a degree for what you’re doing. It’s your certification, your license, your paper.
My dad only attended school through the sixth grade but he always said it was important to have education.
Can you share your thoughts about the importance of scholarships?
I received a $2,000 scholarship from the MATC Foundation to transfer my MATC credits, after graduating from MATC, to continue at a university to obtain my four-year degree. For me it made the difference in whether I would continue on. I encourage students to go ahead and apply for scholarships. They mean so much to our students.