To celebrate Women’s History Month, College of the Desert hosted an all-women panel featuring COD employees.
The panel included Veronica Daut, associate professor of sociology, Tina Gonzalez, administrative assistant for social sciences and arts, and Nashelle Mendoza, job developer placement coordinator.
They shared their personal journeys and how they reached their current roles. Veronica Daut, professor of sociology, spoke about growing up in Indio. Raised in a single-parent household, she had to learn how to help support her family at a young age. By age 14, she began working at a grocery store in La Quinta and graduated from high school a year early. Like many community college students, Daut was unsure which career path to pursue but knew she did not want to struggle financially.
From personal challenges to holding two jobs at once, Daut pursued a degree in counseling and began as a temporary counselor at College of the Desert before transitioning to teaching. She expresses her appreciation for the job, “I love this job, even on the hardest day. I’ve cleaned, I’ve scrubbed, I’ve worked the worst of the worst jobs.” Daut said her journey has not been easy, especially as a woman of color, and she empathizes with students facing similar struggles.
The biggest ridicule Daut faced for pursuing education came from her own family.
She tells students to believe in themselves no matter what. “What is your goal, and how do you hold onto it while you’re on the floor being kicked?” she asks.
Daut says students can achieve their goals and dreams by showing up and getting the work done.
Similarly, Tina Gonzalez was born and raised in Indio and grew up in a single-parent household. Education was not encouraged at home, but Gonzalez had a strong work ethic and worked her way into a pharmacy.
Her dedication was recognized, and a former pharmacist encouraged her to become a pharmacy technician. Gonzalez worked in that role for 22 years, providing for her children.
After retiring, a friend encouraged Gonzalez to apply for a position at COD, though she was reluctant because of her fear of change. “I was comfortable and afraid of change,” she said.
She decided to give it a try and has been with COD for nine years. To overcome hardships, Gonzalez shared her own experiences with negative environments and advised surrounding yourself with positivity.
As the oldest of her siblings, Nashelle Mendoza grew up in a broken home and a justice-impacted family. Facing the choice of repeating the cycle or changing it, Mendoza decided things needed to change.
She moved from Fontana to the Coachella Valley and gave birth to her daughter. Mendoza started at COD in 2013, majoring in early childhood education. While at COD and working at a child daycare, she received stipends and scholarships, emphasizing that “every dime and dollar counted.”
After switching her major to business administration, Mendoza graduated with her associate’s degree but spoke openly about the internal struggles of pursuing education. From mom guilt to working full time, she overcame these challenges by finding a support system on campus.
“It took a long time, but along the road and way, it was COD,” she said.
She encourages students to interact with others, build their network, and surround themselves with uplifting people. Mendoza says working with students and impacting their lives also affects her own.
Balancing her children and her career path was a long journey, and she advises students not to let their past define them but to carry it with them. Mendoza is now approaching three years at COD and is working on her bachelor’s degree.
“Your past doesn’t define you, but carry it with you, because it is always nice to look in the rearview mirror and say, ‘Look how far I’ve come,'” said Mendoza.
The panel gave COD women staff and faculty the opportunity to share their personal journeys while advising students on overcoming personal and educational hardships. Pursuing higher education as a woman comes with a variety of obstacles. Building a network on campus, maintaining a positive environment and never giving up on your dreams can help ensure success both academically and professionally.
