Graduate Turned Self-Doubt into Success at Northern Essex

When Yulissa Diaz Arias crossed the stage at Northern Essex Community College’s Commencement ceremony last month, she wasn’t just celebrating earning her degree. She was celebrating a journey marked by perseverance, personal growth and the courage to start again.

A Business Transfer major, Diaz Arias first enrolled at Northern Essex in 2018, right after graduating from Haverhill High School. But she was forced to put her education on hold while navigating housing instability and other personal challenges. At the time, completing a college degree seemed out of reach.

“I always had this regret that I never finished school,” she said.

Over the next several years, Diaz Arias focused on rebuilding her life. Through the nonprofit Community Builders, she participated in community service projects, attended leadership and emotional wellness workshops and gained valuable life experience. A mentor encouraged her to revisit her educational goals, reminding her that it was never too late to continue what she had started.

When Massachusetts expanded free community college with the MassEducate Program, Diaz Arias saw her chance.

Returning to NECC at age 24 was not easy. She worried that she had been away from school too long and questioned whether she could succeed academically. Those fears quickly faded as she discovered a supportive campus community.

“I was nervous,” she said. “I thought I was too old and too out of practice. But everyone was focused on the same goal. It didn’t matter if people were older or younger. It felt like we were all working toward something together.”

With encouragement from her advisor, Diaz Arias connected with the PACE Program and tutoring services. Those resources became instrumental in helping her navigate coursework, stay organized and build confidence.

“The tutoring helped me so much,” she said. “PACE helped me find opportunities, stay on track, and think bigger about my future.”

Her passion for business traces back to childhood. Inspired by her father, a real estate professional and business owner, Diaz Arias spent years observing entrepreneurship firsthand. She even launched her own small ventures, selling candy at school and creating marketing flyers to help promote her sister’s hair styling services.

At NECC, her ambitions expanded further. A business course with Professor Judy Ciampi introduced her to international business and helped her envision a career that combines business, travel and cultural exploration.

“At first, I was only thinking about getting my associate degree,” she said. “But after that class, I knew I wanted to keep going.”

This fall, Diaz Arias will transfer to Suffolk University, where she plans to study marketing and international business while pursuing an accelerated pathway toward both a bachelor’s and master’s degree.

Her graduation carries special significance as a first-generation college graduate. Her mother and older sister both attended college but had to leave before finishing due to family responsibilities.

“I’m emotional and excited,” she said. “I feel like a completely different person than when I started. I’m more confident, more focused, and ready for what’s next.”

For anyone considering returning to college, Diaz Arias offers simple advice: “Just do it. Stop thinking about it and do it. It’s never too late.”

As she prepares for her next chapter, Diaz Arias hopes to build a career that allows her to travel, support communities, advocate for mental health awareness and help businesses grow. Whatever path she ultimately chooses, she knows Northern Essex helped lay the foundation.

“NECC helped me become more organized, more confident, and more focused on my future,” she said. “It changed my life.”