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A Mother's Determination: The Drive Behind Andrea Ramirez Kirkpatrick

Andrea Ramirez Kirkpatrick’s journey to success is one of remarkable resilience. Though she has overcome immense challenges throughout her 39 years, she struggles to fully embrace her accomplishments. Yet, she doesn’t hesitate to credit the reason behind her motivation – her son.

In 2008, Andrea and her six-year-old son were living in Texas in an abusive environment. Determined to create a better life for him, Andrea moved them to Maryland to stay with her older brother. But the transition was daunting. She didn’t speak English and was terrified of the unknown. “I had always worked as a cleaning lady or in the fields,” Andrea recalled. “Education wasn't an option for me, but I wanted more for my son.”

Her drive led her to enroll in an English as a Second Language (ESL) class at HCC. Though she felt intimidated at first, Andrea excelled, earning several certificates of completion. “Everyone at HCC has been so compassionate and encouraging,” she said. “As I learned more, I wanted to keep going.”

Andrea’s path was interrupted when a fire destroyed her brother’s house while she was visiting Florida, forcing her to extend her stay. But she returned to HCC with renewed determination, enrolling in the External Diploma Program (EDP) and completing her high school diploma in 2010. “At that point, I felt like we could make it,” Andrea said.

Though she took a break from school to work at a restaurant, Andrea’s dream of further education never faded. “I wanted my son to see that he could have big dreams, go to college, and achieve what I never had the chance to,” she explained.

Her own childhood was marked by discouragement, particularly from an aunt who told her education wasn’t for people like her. Yet, despite those words, Andrea enrolled in HCC’s Administration of Justice program with a goal to become a lawyer and help people in her community. Her first classes were overwhelming, but she persevered.

“I love Dr. Kramer,” she shared, referring to her professor, who is both a lawyer and bilingual. “He truly cares about his students and has been a big influence in my life.”

Andrea’s journey wasn’t without more hurdles. Her sister’s cancer diagnosis and other family responsibilities added emotional strain, leading to a class failure and feelings of overwhelm. In a moment of vulnerability, Andrea reached out to her professor, sharing her struggles. The concerning email led to support from HCC’s Behavioral Intervention Care team and academic advisor Trisha Horowitz.

Trisha’s response was immediate and personal. “I saw her at Target and told her, ‘You need to come talk to me.’” That support, along with a counseling referral from the dean’s office, helped Andrea navigate a challenging period.

It was a turning point for Andrea. “I was able to make a connection with my therapist, and that helped me understand why I was feeling the way I did,” she said.

In May 2024, Andrea graduated with an associate degree in Administration of Justice, a moment she described as surreal. “I couldn’t believe it was real. But most importantly, I wanted my son to be proud of me,” she said.

Since then, her son has started taking classes at HCC, and Andrea is now working toward a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Shepherd University. She hopes to do an internship with the FBI or FEMA in her last semester, which she hopes will help her secure a job with the FBI or as a parole or probation officer.

“I never imagined that I could accomplish these things,” Andrea said. “I always think of my past, and now I see that I’ve changed in many positive ways. My goal is to finish my degree, get a job, and then I get to help people.”