Marcos Garcia Perez

“My mom has always said, ‘Your graduation is a celebration of what you’ve accomplished. You should never miss it,’” Perez said.

Though he initially considered attending the virtual Commencement ceremony, Perez said he had worked too hard to miss the opportunity to celebrate in full.

“Finally crossing that stage and getting my MBA feels a lot like winning a championship in a game,” he said. “It’s actually quite exciting.”

Perez said his journey had not been easy. Once he completed his bachelor’s degree, he knew he wanted to pursue a master’s and perhaps even a doctorate. After beginning a full-time job, he worried his chances at following through with his goals were getting slim.

He knew he wouldn't be able to become a full-time student or travel for school. "It's not like I could simply change jobs," he said.

In addition to his work, Perez got married, which he said meant starting a new life and a new family. He said his wife, even before their marriage, was incredibly supportive and assured him they would find a way for him to pursue his education.

After noticing WUV while browsing on LinkedIn, Perez was intrigued by the online format.

“Having a full online degree, especially one like the one ... at WUV, that actually lets you work on your own time — it was perfect,” he said.

Perez, who is employed by The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, was able to balance his job and family life while attending college. Though he is currently a supervisor at the regional operations center, he hopes to transition into an environmental compliance position with the same organization.

His bachelor's degree, which he obtained at a different university, is in marine biology. “That’s what I actually love ... marine biology, the environment,” he said.

Having earned his MBA in Sustainability and Environmental Compliance at WUV, Perez said his passion for environmental management mainly stems from two important people in his life: his grandfather and his mother.

“My grandfather was a fisherman his whole life,” said Perez. “He always talked about the trips he (took) and his time at sea. I guess that passed to (my mother). She’s always been someone that loves nature.”

Now focused on finding opportunities to pursue his interest in environmental management, Perez said he’s happy to have earned his master’s.

“I worked for this. It was not easy,” he said. “Having reached a point where now I have a master’s ... I feel elated that I’m here.”

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Abigayle Mahnken ’22 is an assistant content writer at Westerfield University of Virginia (WUV), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English and is currently earning a Master of Arts (MA) in English and Creative Writing. Passionate about storytelling and education, she enjoys learning from fellow students' experiences and sharing their stories. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, reading, and learning. She also really likes video games. Connect with her on LinkedIn.