Roxanne Contreras Changed Her Family’s Future Through Education

Roxanne Contreras, a mother of four, will cross the UT San Antonio Commencement stage this Saturday

A First-Generation Graduate’s Journey of Resilience, Hope, and Breaking Generational Cycles

Roxanne Contreras Changed Her Family’s Future

Some stories remind us that education is more than earning a degree. It is about creating opportunities, rewriting family histories, and proving that difficult beginnings do not have to define the future. The story of Roxanne Contreras is one of those stories.

Raised in poverty by a single mother who struggled with mental illness and alcoholism, Contreras learned responsibility long before most children her age. Instead of following a traditional high school path, she attended Penn Foster online so she could enter the workforce early and help provide for her three siblings.

Life continued to present challenges. Years later, Contreras found herself facing circumstances that felt all too familiar. As a single mother raising four children, she carried the weight of financial uncertainty as she tried to build a better future.

Everything changed when she decided to take a hard look at the direction her life was heading.

“I found myself caught in a cycle of unhealthy relationships and had to pause and truly reflect on where my choices were leading me five to 10 years into the future,” Contreras shared. “Being a single parent again forced me to look closely at the life I was creating and the example I was setting for my children.”

That moment of reflection became a turning point.

Determined to break free from cycles of hardship, Contreras recognized that education offered more than financial stability. It offered a path toward personal growth, confidence, and a new legacy for her family.

“I thought deeply about the life I wanted for my children, a life rooted in security, opportunity, and self-respect, and I realized education was the key to creating something different,” she said. “I wanted to prove to myself that my circumstances did not define me and to show my children that perseverance, growth,h and education can change the trajectory of life.”

During the pandemic, Contreras enrolled at Palo Alto College. There, she discovered a passion for storytelling and helping students connect with resources that could improve their lives. Her hard work paid off when she graduated in 2021 with an associate’s degree in teaching and business.

Rather than stopping there, she continued her educational journey by enrolling in UT San Antonio Online’s Multidisciplinary Studies program.

“As a struggling single parent, I needed a program that offered flexibility while I balanced full-time work and raising my four children,” Contreras said. “UT San Antonio Online allowed me to manage my responsibilities without sacrificing my education.”

The experience transformed her in ways she never expected. Beyond academics, she gained confidence and learned that her life experiences were valuable strengths rather than obstacles.

“UT San Antonio showed me that my nontraditional path was not a weakness, but a strength — giving me the confidence to speak up, take ownership of my work and pursue continued professional growth,” Contreras said. “It gave me validation, belief in myself, and the confidence to model life-long learning for my children.”

The road was not without heartbreak. In 2024, Contreras lost her mother. While reflecting on her mother’s life, she came to appreciate not only the struggles they endured but also the love, generosity, and hospitality her mother had shown throughout her life.

Today, the contrast between her past and present is remarkable.

Contreras now works as a purchaser for the Alamo Colleges District. She graduated from UT San Antonio in May 2026 and has built a healthy, supportive family environment with a spouse who encourages both her ambitions and those of her children.

As a first-generation college graduate, she proudly represents what can happen when determination meets opportunity.

“Choosing to earn my degree became a declaration: that my past did not determine my future, that stability was possible, and that my children would grow up watching their mother pursue growth with intention, resilience, and hope,” Contreras said. I am graduating not just with a degree, but with a stronger sense of identity, self-worth, and direction.”

Perhaps the most rewarding part of her journey is seeing the ripple effect throughout her family.

UT San Antonio is Rising to New Heights

Her spouse returned to school and is nearing completion of an associate degree. Her son is graduating from high school, becoming the first male in the extended family to achieve that milestone. Her daughter, who graduated in 2024, is continuing her education at Palo Alto College.

The impact of one decision has spread across generations.

“For a long time, I’ve been waiting for moments like these,” Contreras said, “to see the impact of my decisions come to life in my family.”

Roxanne Contreras’ story is a powerful reminder that success is not determined by where someone starts. It is shaped by the courage to change direction, the willingness to keep moving forward, and the belief that a better future can be built one step at a time.

Her degree represents more than academic achievement. It symbolizes resilience, transformation, and a legacy that will inspire her children and future generations for years to come.

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