CFCC Student Achieves Detective Dream After ESL Program

Gabriela Garcia will graduate from Cape Fear Community College this spring with a degree in criminal justice, four years after enrolling in the college's ESL program to improve her English.

Garcia arrived without plans to study criminal justice. A childhood dream of becoming a detective seemed unreachable until she met Dr. Cindy Britton, who taught her ESL courses and later instructed her in criminal justice.

"I used to play games where I was a detective, but I never thought I could actually do it," Garcia said.

Britton noticed Garcia's potential early. Garcia progressed quickly through the ESL program and volunteered to help other students, demonstrating leadership that caught her instructor's attention.

"Gabriela's attitude and presentation in class were very professional, and she moved through the program very quickly," Britton said. "When I see students who are strong in English, I ask them to help others, and she was one of the first to say yes."

Britton spent more than 12 years as a Juvenile Justice Officer with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and worked 30 years in mental health before teaching. She shared that experience with Garcia during conversations about career goals.

When Britton moved to the criminal justice department, Garcia followed and enrolled in her courses.

Garcia now plans to focus on juvenile justice after graduation, working with young people before they reach adulthood.

"Hopefully, I can make a difference before they get to adulthood," Garcia said. "I want to be the positive that they see."

Garcia will continue her education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington to pursue a career in criminal justice.