Setting goals is often considered the first step when working toward achieving something in life. For one student, the goal of graduating college was apparent early on, posted on the bulletin board in her bedroom while she was still attending Rio Rancho High School.
Even after switching majors, Jocelyn Fafard will graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Science in family studies in just three and a half years on Saturday. Fafard said college was on her mind early, and she was fortunate to have parents that provided strong support along the way.
“In high school I started taking dual credit classes at CNM, and I took AP classes,” she said. “My parents definitely motivated me to get higher education.”
Fafard said she was originally a journalism major, but decided to switch fields of study, and family studies stood out for her. She said she found her passion when she took a marriage and family relationships course that captured her attention.
While studying, she said one of the instructors, Ashley Martin, presented her with the opportunity to volunteer at a family advocacy center, where she gained valuable experience.
About a year ago, Fafard started working at APN Family Support Center as a supervisor. Fafard said the center offers parenting classes and facilitates supervised visits and exchanges, often working with families that involve divorced parents who have lost custody of their children.
She said sometimes the experience is difficult because families go through a lot of hardships together, and while one person might make one bad decision, the whole family has to deal with the aftermath.
She said she learned in class how many families are struggling, especially in Albuquerque, and she was particularly concerned with the effects divorce can have on children. She said no child deserves to go through that, and she wants to be a source of relief for them.
“I grew up in such a great home; all children deserve to grow up in a great home,” she said.
Fafard said her fiancé, Joseph de Anda, has been that person for her. She said he is always there to listen, which can be a good stress reliever.
De Anda is a member of the military stationed in Arkansas. He said he has known Fafard since high school, and they have been together for about four years. De Anda said Fafard has always been very productive and driven, and remembers how meticulous she was in planning things.
“She had this list on her bulletin board in her room, and it said, ‘Finish one year of college before graduating high school,’” de Anda said. “It was always pretty definite that she was going to college.”
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Fafard said she is looking forward to moving to Arkansas soon and starting the next chapter of her life. She does expect to pursue a master’s degree, but wants to take advantage of family advocacy opportunities in Arkansas, because experience is a good teacher.
Fafard said she also learned to speak German while minoring in the language, as well as political science, and said that might come in handy if they get stationed overseas. She said she is thankful for the experiences she has already had in Albuquerque.
Jonathan Montoya, a friend and co-worker, helped Fafard get the job at APN Family Support Center. He said there were signs pointing to Fafard ending up as a family studies major, even though that wasn’t her original intention..
Montoya said the job teaches that life can be tough, and it always throws obstacles in your way. He said he knows that Fafard has always been goal-oriented and will overcome whatever life throws at her.
“In the future, I see her doing anything her heart desires. If that means having a family of her own, extra schooling, traveling the world, I could see her doing it,” Montoya said. “If it’s on the bulletin board, she sets her mind to it, and she’s gonna accomplish it.”
Robert Maler is a staff reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @DailyLobo.
