First-Generation Ball State Graduate Josselline Valdez Salinas Turns Challenges Into Purpose

Army National Guard member and first-generation student Josselline Valdez Salinas, ’25, overcame financial and family challenges at Ball State while preparing for a career as a bilingual elementary educator.

Ball State University graduate Josselline Valdez Salinas, ’25, overcame every obstacle between her and the college education she wanted. And there were plenty.

Although her mother hoped she would pursue a college degree, the family’s financial situation made college seem out of reach. To help fund her education, Ms. Valdez joined the Army National Guard and successfully pursued scholarships, including the prestigious Michelle A. and James T. Ryan Family Scholarship from Ball State’s Teachers College.

While she was in college, she experienced significant family challenges. It would have been understandable if she had left campus to return home permanently. Instead, she found a way to support her family and continue her education—the launchpad for her dream of becoming a bilingual educator.

Even when things began to stabilize at home, Ms. Valdez—a first-generation college student—faced difficulty adjusting to campus life. She pushed herself to get involved, attending events, joining organizations, making friends, and connecting with professors and staff who sincerely cared about her success.

“There were a lot of times when I felt like giving up, especially when I was having family issues,” Ms. Valdez said. “But I really think Ball State was just meant to happen for me. Everything worked out so I could afford college. The rest was up to me to do the work and graduate.”

That work included seizing opportunities such as observing educators at Ball State’s Burris Laboratory School, teaching in dual-language classrooms, and student-teaching in Houston.

Also contributing to her success was the culture of Teachers College and the broader campus community.

“Honestly, I haven’t had one professor who has not cared about the growth of my classmates and me,” she said. “I also like how most of the Teachers College classes were more like collaborative work and less like lectures. I felt that our professors were more engaged, which encouraged us students to engage more.

“All over campus, everybody was really welcoming. Campus felt like a warm home,” she added.

Ms. Valdez earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Teachers College, graduating in December. Read more about Ms. Valdez in this Teachers College blog.

The Michelle A. and James T. Ryan Family Scholarship covers all costs—including tuition, fees, and room and board—for approximately 20 students. Learn more about Ryan Family Scholarships.