Ramses Garcia

Ramses Garcia

Ramses Garcia is an Accountancy major from Urireo, Mexico

Hometown: Urireo, Mexico

Year: Expected graduation: 2022

Major: Accountancy

Transfer from: Kishwaukee College

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
Scholarships: Accountancy Scholarship, NIU Transfer Scholarship, AIM High Transfer Achievement Scholarship and Kishwaukee Transfer Scholarship.

I received my scholarships thanks to my hard work and dedication. The Accountancy Scholarship I was nominated for; NIU Transfer and Kishwaukee Transfer Scholarships were for successfully graduating from Kishwaukee College and for being accepted into NIU’s College of Business; lastly, the AIM High Transfer Achievement Scholarship was awarded for academic achievement.

Thanks to my scholarships, I have been able to attend NIU without having to worry about going into debt. It has eased the amount of time I have to work and allowed me to allocate it to my schoolwork. 

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
My family emigrated from Mexico in 2008; we didn’t have much. From the time I was 8 years of age, there was a huge emphasis on money management. As I grew up and explored different fields, one stuck out: accounting. What better way to learn about money than through the language of business? 

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
My major is accounting. I chose it because it is a field that is very versatile and has job security. I also want to open my own business, and accounting is a great foundation.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
The amount of support that is afforded to you. Transferring in the middle of a pandemic is less than optimal, but the staff is there to support you every step of the way. It made the transition seamless.

How have you connected with other students virtually to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
A group of students created a Discord chat, which has made it easier to connect with people. It has made it easier to collaborate with students and form study groups.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
With all of my classes being online, it has been difficult to truly build relationships with my professors. Everett Westmeyer, an accountancy professor at Kishwaukee College, undoubtedly changed my outlook on life. He believed in me when I did not. Thanks to him, I have been able to be successful at NIU. I still remember the day when I participated in the PWC Case Challenge. We were all unsure about ourselves, and he said, “If there is one thing about accounting students, they always figure it out.”

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot in the community would be the local YMCA. It has provided me and others with opportunities, and it is where I work out, which is an outlet for me.

What advice would you give to a student who is applying to colleges?
It is completely fine to attend a community college. If you’re not sure what you are doing, get your general education courses out of the way, then decide.

Coming to college, what is something that you have had to learn to do differently?
You need to learn excellent time management skills, especially with asynchronous classes. With freedom comes responsibility.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I love to work out; it is an excellent way to manage stress. I also enjoy hanging out with my friends.

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