Early College Pathways Alumni Fellow Feature: Milagros Moreno

NY4ECP is excited to feature one of our fantastic Early College Pathways Alumni Fellows from the inaugural class of 2025-2026!

Milagros Moreno graduated from the International High School at LaGuardia Community College and is currently a student at The City College of New York.

Milagros’ opinion piece was published in El Diario NY - the oldest and longest-publishing Spanish-language daily newspaper in the United States. Read Milagros’ piece entitled “Cómo el programa ‘Early College’ me abrió las puertas al éxito académico” by clicking on the button and read more about her early college journey in her own words below in English.

I still remember the feeling of sitting in my eighth-grade classroom, listening to teachers talk about high schools and universities. To many of my peers, college was a guaranteed destination; to me, it felt unattainable. I arrived in the United States at 11 years old, knowing no English and carrying the weight of an uncertain future. My concern didn’t stem from school grades, but from financial stability. My family lived paycheck to paycheck, and in our house, "saving for college" wasn’t an option in the budget, it was unnecessary. 

This struggle is not mine alone; it is a reality shared by many children of immigrants, especially in New York, a state built by immigrants. But my uncertainty reached a conclusion when I made a transformative decision: to attend International High School at LaGuardia Community College. The school became a home to me. Its mission is to support young immigrants who arrive in this country at a disadvantage. The school wasn't just a place to learn English; it was a gateway to college classes through its partnership with the City University of New York (CUNY) under the Early College Pathways program. 

The power of the Early College Program is more than just an initial advantage; for families like mine, it was a miracle. It meant that while I was still in high school, I was also a college student. I wasn't alone on this path; I was surrounded by educators who understood my background and peers who were facing the same obstacles. 

The impact was immediate. Beyond the massive financial relief of earning two years of free college credits and an associate degree, I gained something more valuable: confidence. The college world stopped feeling terrifying and began to feel natural. I learned to speak with professors, navigate a syllabus, and advocate for myself with counselors. When I transitioned to a four-year university, I didn’t feel like an outsider looking in. I knew exactly where I was going. 

My fellowship with The New York Alliance for Early College Pathways (NY4ECP) has been very important to me. It helped me understand that my success wasn’t luck, but a process. I spent months learning the "how" of these programs. In today's economy, it feels like a high school diploma is no longer enough to survive; it is barely the beginning. For families living paycheck to paycheck, college must stop being a distant "wish" and become an immediate tool. For New York’s immigrant communities, the Early College program isn’t just an educational benefit; it is an essential tool for economic survival and social mobility. 

During my time as a fellow, I have shared my story in the halls of power, speaking directly with state senators and assembly members. I have told them what I am telling you now: awareness is the first step, but action is what keeps the doors open. We cannot limit ourselves to knowing that these programs work; we must ensure they are permanently funded and expanded to every corner of the state.

As I conclude my fellowship, I call on my community to move from reflection to action: 

For students and parents: If you are choosing a high school, look for Early College programs. Do not let the fear of cost stop you from dreaming. These programs exist to position you for a better future, whether that journey lasts two, four, or six years. 

For alums: If Early College changed your life, tell your story. Our representatives need to hear from the people behind the statistics. Write to your Assembly member or district Senator and explain why this program must remain a priority in the state budget. 

For our representatives: In 2026, we cannot allow this program to be lost. We cannot allow the budget to ignore these programs; we need funding to be permanent so it doesn’t depend on the "luck" of the school year. We need your voice and your defense of the program to guarantee that every student, regardless of when they arrived in this country, has a clear path to a professional degree. 

I started at 11 years old, without English or certainties. Today, thanks to Early College, my college degree is not just a wish; it is my reality. Let’s make sure that for the next generation of New Yorkers, that reality is guaranteed.