Outstanding Islander Graduate Ericka Ledesma Shows Sacrifice and Commitment to Earn Education Degree
Outstanding Islander Graduate – Ericka Ledesma – Spring 2022
Ericka Ledesma has been named the spring 2022 Outstanding Islander Graduate for the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD), a designation sponsored by Academic Affairs. Ledesma, who is graduating with a 3.95 GPA, received a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies during the May 21 ceremony. The ceremony was the largest in university’s 75-year history with 1,286 Islander graduates earning degrees this semester.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – From student to teacher, Ericka Ledesma ’22 has come full circle to achieve her goals. Ledesma developed a love of learning during her formative years at Tuloso-Midway ISD, where she attended from kindergarten through high school. Now, as she nears graduation from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, she has accepted a teaching position at Tuloso-Midway Intermediate School where she will return to share her passion for education with a new generation of students as a fifth-grade math and science teacher.
Ledesma was named the spring 2022 Outstanding Islander Graduate for the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD), a designation sponsored by Academic Affairs. Ledesma, who is graduating with a 3.95 GPA, will receive a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies during the May 21 ceremony. The ceremony is the largest in university’s 75-year history with 1,285 Islander graduates earning degrees this semester.
Ledesma said the Island University embodies everything she loves about the Coastal Bend.
“Our campus is inclusive and diverse with a welcoming student body. As students stroll down the breezeways or congregate in the University Center, one can see the focus, determination, and commitment to excellence that Islander students possess,” Ledesma said. “I wanted to be a part of this, which is why I chose to become an Islander.”
Ledesma’s goal of earning her bachelor’s degree began in 2003 when she enrolled at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
“A year and a half into my time at TAMUK, life happened, and I put my education on hold. It was during this time I met my husband and started my family,” Ledesma said. “Early in 2019, I made the decision to finish what I had started when I was 18 years old; so, I enrolled at the Island University and took my first course in summer 2019.”
As a first generation-college student, Ledesma found many challenges in navigating college as a non-traditional student whose responsibilities extended beyond the classroom. At the time of her enrollment at TAMU-CC, Ledesma had two young sons, Christian and Dylan, which meant she didn’t often start her homework or studying until after everyone was asleep.
“It was not unusual for me to study until 3 a.m., only to wake up at 6 a.m. to get my boys ready for school,” she said. “Despite my best efforts, I still had ‘mom guilt.’ At times, I thought I was selfish for going back to school, but I realized that they need to see me sacrifice, overcome, persevere, and – most importantly – have seen my commitment to reaching my goals.”
Ledesma began by taking one class at time, but in March 2020, she decided to leave her job of five years as a paraprofessional at Tuloso-Midway Primary School to attend college full time.
“A month later, the COVID-19 pandemic started. So suddenly, my whole family was working and going to school from home,” she recalled. “In an instant, I gained a few new titles: homeschool teacher, technology technician, and cafeteria worker just to name a few. Our household became quite chaotic, but we made it through healthy, and I will never forget all the time we spent together as a family.”
Ledesma is an involved student in and out of the classroom. After passing numerous state-required exams with flying colors, she became an academic tutor for the TAMU-CC Student Support Services (SSS)-Teacher Prep Program. In addition, she is president of the Technology Learners and Leaders Council, treasurer for the Student Reading Council, a member of the Islander Cultural Alliance, and has served on the COEHD Undergraduate Student Advisory Council. She also accepted invitations to join the Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Ledesma is also the fundraiser chair for the Tuloso-Midway Intermediate School PTA.
Over the course of her time as an Islander, Ledesma said she developed a deep bond with Islander faculty and staff, including Carol Pike, an administrative associate in the COEHD Certification Office. Ledesma said she twice considered delaying taking her content exams but said Pike gave her the confidence to stay on course.
“Carol believed in me in times when I doubted myself and my abilities,” Ledesma said. “She was more than willing to help and was always so kind.”
Because of the pandemic, the pair communicated virtually and did not meet in person until April 2022. Pike said it made for a unique working relationship that grew over time.
“It’s nice to know that you can have an impact, even in a virtual environment,” Pike said. “Of course, her determination, drive, and stick-to-it attitude says a lot about her, but I’m very honored and blessed to have been in a position to guide Ericka through.”
After graduation, Ledesma plans to pursue a master’s degree in Instructional Design and Educational Technology at TAMU-CC. In the meantime, she is grateful to have an opportunity to serve the Tuloso-Midway community she grew up in and now raises her children in.
“Since becoming an Islander, I have made it my mission to excel in my coursework with the goal of becoming a knowledgeable and passionate educator,” Ledesma said. “I hope to guide my students to embrace curiosity, seek the answers to their questions, and understand the value of learning.”
