Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) recently honored Arthur "Art" Pacheco as the Alumnus of the Year during their May Commencement Ceremony at Lawlor Events Center. Pacheco's journey highlights his resilience and determination to overcome significant challenges through education.
In his address to the graduating class, Pacheco recounted his early life, marked by poverty and gang violence. "Truckee Meadows Community College has been good to me. I shouldn’t be standing here in front of you right now. I should be dead or in prison. I dropped out of high school in 10th grade. There was no point in really getting a diploma if I was just going to end up dead or in prison," he stated.
Pacheco made a decisive change by moving from his troubled neighborhood to Reno, where he pursued adult education courses and earned his high school diploma. His high school sweetheart Sheena and their daughter joined him, motivating him to further pursue college education.
At TMCC, Pacheco found an aptitude for mathematics, joining the math league and becoming a tutor with help from Anne Flesher, Dean of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences Division, and mentorship from Dr. Kurt Ehlers. "Kurt was so helpful outside of class time. I’ve never met a human more helpful, enthusiastic about his job, and inspirational. He’s the reason I am a teacher now," said Pacheco.
After completing his studies at TMCC, Pacheco graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno. He now teaches advanced math at Hug High School while mentoring students facing similar adversities he once encountered himself. "My goal is for my students to go to college and be career-ready," he explained.
Pacheco also credits TMCC with transforming not only his life but also securing stability for his family: "TMCC has been good for me. It has also been good for my family."
Concluding his speech with congratulations to graduates: “You all have spent the last couple of years sacrificing and putting in the hard work to earn your degrees."
For additional information on this recognition or inquiries about the TMCC Foundation, please contact them directly.