Emiliano Escutia named Daley College salutatorian
Story by Veronica Resa/City Colleges of Chicago
Photo credit: Garcia & Rodriguez/City Colleges of Chicago
Emiliano Escutia never imagined he would be named Richard J. Daley College’s salutatorian.
“I got a call from our college president, and I was super shocked—and excited,” he recalls. Graduation is set for Saturday, May 2.
Emiliano explains that figuring out how to go to college and what to study didn’t come easy for him because he didn’t have anyone to show him the way.
As the eldest of three children in his family—with a nine-year-old sister looking up to him—he carried that reality every day. Now graduating with an Associate Degree in General Studies, Emiliano reflects, “I’m building a path for my siblings. I want to be an example for them and prove to myself that I can move forward.”
Staying close to home while going to college mattered, too. Emiliano is an alumnus of both Hancock College Prep and Hurley Elementary School.
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| Emiliano Escutia |
Emiliano explains that figuring out how to go to college and what to study didn’t come easy for him because he didn’t have anyone to show him the way.
As the eldest of three children in his family—with a nine-year-old sister looking up to him—he carried that reality every day. Now graduating with an Associate Degree in General Studies, Emiliano reflects, “I’m building a path for my siblings. I want to be an example for them and prove to myself that I can move forward.”
Staying close to home while going to college mattered, too. Emiliano is an alumnus of both Hancock College Prep and Hurley Elementary School.
“Location was important. I have family responsibilities.”
Like many of his friends, he chose a college that made sense financially and had the courses he needed to explore his career options. “I would recommend [Richard J. Daley College] for affordability. And there, you have more time to figure out what you want to do.”
But what stood out most to him while at Daley wasn’t just the classes, it was the people. “I really love my advisor and transfer team. They made the process easy and crystal clear for me.”
That guidance has helped him begin planning his next step: transferring to a university like Illinois Tech and U of I Chicago. He plans to pursue a four-year degree in computer science.
Emiliano is working toward a future and a four-year degree in Computer Science, with a strong interest in areas like data analytics.
But what stood out most to him while at Daley wasn’t just the classes, it was the people. “I really love my advisor and transfer team. They made the process easy and crystal clear for me.”
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| Emiliano Escutia |
That guidance has helped him begin planning his next step: transferring to a university like Illinois Tech and U of I Chicago. He plans to pursue a four-year degree in computer science.
Emiliano is working toward a future and a four-year degree in Computer Science, with a strong interest in areas like data analytics.
While earning his associate degree and through an add-on educational program with Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), a City Colleges partner, he was able to stay focused and aligned with his STEM career goals. The experience strengthened the mindset he carries forward today: “Keep on going,” he says firmly. “Yes, it will be difficult at times, but just keep at it.”
