Baker Proud Fall 2017 - 18

BAKER PROUD | Fall 2017

"Doing This for Me"
MLA Student Pursues Degree to Continue Learning, Growing
offered me a liberal arts approach where I could expand
on this life's work. My ability to tailor my courses to further my knowledge both in general and in my focus area
(natural and social sciences) was a big selling point."
And his life's work is extensive. After earning a
degree in criminal justice, Vazquez started his 25-year
career in law enforcement. In addition, he owned his
own sand and gravel business, held a congressional seat
in Texas, and worked as an advocate for education. And
for someone who has achieved so much and given so
much of himself to his family and community, his decision to earn a master's degree was based on only one
thing: himself.

"I've accomplished a lot of things in my
life. I looked at other more rigid programs, but found that the MLA was who
I really am. I couldn't be happier with my
degree." -Jaime Vazquez

Jaime Vazquez and his wife, Ruby

or Jaime Vazquez, earning a master's degree
wasn't a necessity. He already has three degrees
under his belt-an associate degree in welding,
and bachelor's degrees in both criminal justice
and business-so working for another piece of paper
wasn't on his to-do list. But as a case worker and translator
for Latin Americans seeking asylum at the Texas border,
he wanted to pursue an education, not necessarily a degree, that would open him up to different ways of understanding the world.
After a year of searching for both the right program
and the right university, he stumbled upon Baker University's School of Professional and Graduate Studies and,
more specifically, its Master of Liberal Arts program. The
degree's flexibility in scheduling and abundance of interesting courses sealed the deal, and he started his journey
in June 2015.
"Education and social justice have been at the core of
what I've fought for my entire life," Vazquez said. "Baker

"I've accomplished a lot of things in my life," Vazquez
said. "I looked at other more rigid programs, but found
that the MLA was who I really am. I couldn't be happier
with my degree."
"Baker's program allowed me to speak about politics,
social justice, and literature all in one conversation,"
Vazquez said. "It allowed me to expand in all that I know
and everything that I've done. It really gives a broad view
of the world and helps me understand what drives people
and what makes them tick."
As for what's next for Vazquez after presenting his
defense in September, the answer is more social justice
and a more significant way to serve. His next dream is
to become a teacher within Immigration and Customs
Enforcement or beyond, serving his community and his
culture as a diversity trainer. He also hopes to keep working his way down the list of places he wants to visit. And
most important on that list is Baldwin City, Kansas, where
he will see the product of his hard work when he receives
his diploma during Commencement.
"As an advocate for education, graduation is really
important to me," Vazquez said. "The two hours I would
spend sitting in that chair as I wait for them to call my
name is worth more than a trip around the world."

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Baker Proud Fall 2017