Gabriella Aceves
Age: 26
Hometown: Mesa, AZ
Region: Philadelphia
Center: Blue Ridge
Dates enrolled: 2/22/2011 – 9/25/2012
Training: Clinical Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy Tech., EKG Tech., Patient Care Tech., High School Diploma

Gabriella Aceves has gone from Blue Ridge Job Corps to Bachelor’s degree. Gabriella was raised by a single parent, and she did not complete high school in Arizona, where she grew up. She had always had a drive for success, but she was unsure how to get there. She discovered the Job Corps program, and took a leap of faith to enroll at the age of 17. “The major draw was being able to get my high school diploma and work toward a trade at the same time,” she stated.
She made the most of her opportunity, earning certifications in clinical medical assistant, patient care tech, EKG tech, and phlebotomy tech, in addition to her high school diploma. “The program gave me stability that I’d never had before, and allowed me to create lasting friendships.” Active both on center and in the community, Gabriella volunteered with arts and crafts in recreation, and took pride in assisting at the Atkins Food Pantry. She also gained experience through the work-based learning partnership with Mel Leaman Free Clinic. “My internship was great because I was able to help serve the community and those who couldn’t afford healthcare normally.”
Since graduating from Job Corps, Gabriella has continued her education, earning an Associate’s of Science in Psychology from Portland Community College in 2018, and as of December 14, 2020, she is a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She doesn’t want to stop there, however, as she has applied for the Master’s program at ASU, and anxiously awaits to hear about her acceptance in the Spring.
“Something that always helped me,” she said, “was writing down my goals, both large and small.” She stated that by completing smaller goals and crossing them off, it made the larger goals seems much more obtainable.
Everyone at Blue Ridge Job Corps would like to congratulate Gabriella on her graduation from Arizona State University, and we can’t wait to see what else she is going to accomplish.