First-Generation Catholic Educator Earns Degree From Immaculata University

When Kenia Perez Gutierrez first arrived in the United States in 2005, she often passed by Immaculata University — without realizing it was a university. Her mom even brought her to Immaculata’s campus to play in the snow for the first time. One day, Perez Gutierrez decided to explore the buildings and was delighted to discover that it was a university. Later, she told her mom, “One day I will be attending Immaculata University.”

That dream began to take shape in 2022, when Perez Gutierrez participated in Immaculata’s Summer Boot Camp. As a full-time aide for preschool students at St. Philip and James School, Perez Gutierrez was eligible to participate in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Teacher Residency Program, which allows Catholic school educators to receive discounted tuition at Immaculata to earn their Associate of Arts in Education and/or their Bachelor of Arts in Education. The boot camp, held on campus, is an intensive two-week program for students to learn about the education field before starting a degree program.

“When I enrolled at Immaculata for my associate degree, my primary goal was simply to complete each class with a good grade and progress to the next stage of my education,” Perez Gutierrez relayed. As a single mother, she was concerned with supporting herself and her son’s education. However, when she discovered that tuition would continue to be covered if she pursued a bachelor’s in education, she didn’t hesitate to enroll at Immaculata.

“My experience at Immaculata has been outstanding,” she said. “I have met wonderful professors and peers, and the support for students is incredible.”

Through her coursework, Perez Gutierrez has gained new skills that deepen her ability to support preschool children. In her current role, she assists the lead teacher with classroom activities, supervises students, prepares materials, observes behavior and works to build relationships with children, parents and staff. She also serves as a Spanish–English interpreter, helping families new to the United States, much like her own, communicate with school staff.

Her progress has already opened new opportunities. While completing her associate degree, Perez Gutierrez has been called on twice to fill in as the lead teacher when the classroom teacher was on maternity leave. Once she graduates, she will be eligible to serve as a substitute during extended absences and lead age-appropriate activities for preschoolers. While many Immaculata students go on to complete a bachelor’s in education, others pursue careers as teaching assistants, childcare specialists or learning coordinators. She plans to continue toward a bachelor’s degree and become a licensed teacher.

For Perez Gutierrez, 2025 was a milestone year. She was inducted into Alpha Alpha Alpha, a national honor society for first-generation college students, and into the National Society of Leadership and Success, the nation’s largest honor society for leadership. In December, she graduated with her associate degree in education, becoming an Immaculata alumna and fulfilling a goal she proclaimed as a child newly arrived in the United States.

In 2026, she will enter Immaculata’s bachelor’s degree program in education as a junior. Through it all, she remains grateful for those who supported her — especially her son, whom she calls “my number one cheerleader.”

“I am grateful to God for turning what once seemed impossible into a reality for me,” Perez Gutierrez said.