Overcoming Obstacles: A Return to NCC

After first enrolling as a student at Northampton Community College (NCC) more than a decade ago, Deborah Rivera-Burgos recently returned to study middle level education.

“I’ve been gone from NCC for a long time, and I was nervous about coming back,” she says. “But I need to prove to myself that I can do this.”

Rivera-Burgos, 34, has been familiar with NCC her entire life, as she grew up very close to campus and her parents are former faculty members.

“I knew since I was a little girl that I’d go to Northampton,” she says. “I hope my children will go there when they’re ready for college.”

She initially enrolled as an education major after graduating from Freedom High School in 2008 but was forced to drop out due to health issues. Years of struggle ensued, but she never lost her dream of finishing college and becoming a teacher.

“I was in and out of the hospital for years with chronic asthma, and I had some mental health issues, as well,” Rivera-Burgos explains. “Education has always been important to me because of my parents and other family members. My mom graduated from Moravian College (now Moravian University) with a 4.0, even though her first language was Spanish.”

Morbidly obese and struggling with addiction, Rivera-Burgos knew she needed to make some drastic changes in her life. A lifelong church member and person of strong faith, she turned her life over to God, found the help she needed, and began to heal.

After losing 60 pounds on her own, she underwent bariatric surgery in 2014, resulting in a total weight loss of 274 pounds. She entered addiction treatment and is nearing three years of sobriety. Rivera-Burgos is determined to set an example of clean living and perseverance for her three children, Faith, 7, Melodijoy, 5, and Caleb, 4.

“I’ve been through some incredibly hard times, but I want to show my kids that no matter what life throws at you, you can still go after your dreams,” she says. “You should use your obstacles as stepping stones to reach your goals.”

She plans to graduate from NCC next spring and transfer to Moravian University to complete a bachelor’s degree in education. While she was apprehensive about returning to college, Rivera-Burgos loves her classes and is doing well.

She credits Kathleen Carpenter, adjunct faculty member in mathematics, and Stuart Horowitz, adjunct faculty member in sociology/anthropology, for boosting her confidence and keeping her on track.

“They’re wonderful and so helpful to me,” she says. “For someone who hasn’t been in school for a long time, I’ve surprised myself.”

Rivera-Burgos works hard, getting up every morning at 4 a.m. to study and keep up with homework. Her husband, Robert, and parents, Miriam and Hector Rivera, help shoulder the work of day-to-day tasks and caring for the children, but it’s still a challenge.

“It’s a lot,” she says. “I really don’t know how I do everything that I do.”

Rivera-Burgos credits her faith, her determination to be a role model for her children, and a strong desire to teach for keeping her going.

“I’ve had a passion for teaching for a long time,” she says. “Teachers are so important, especially today. I feel like a teacher can be a lifeline for a student who is struggling.”

In addition to classes at NCC, Rivera-Burgos also is taking online ministry classes through Lee University, a private Christian school located in Cleveland, Tenn. She is a member of Genesis Church in Easton, Pa., where her parents are pastors. Poised and confident, she is looking toward the future.

“It’s been rough, but I persevered, and I’m in a good place now,” she says. “I’m finally back in college and moving toward my goals, and I’m doing it for myself, my kids and all the kids I’ll be able to help as a teacher. It’s all very good.”