Essays
Published in 2004, Carlos wrote an essay titled, "From Average to Honors: Reflections by Carlos Jiménez Flores." The essay appeared in the book, What Makes Racial Diversity Work in Higher Education: Administrators Present Successful Policies and Strategies; in chapter 4 titled, How to Become an Outstanding Educator of Hispanic and African-American First-Generation College Students, which was written by his mentor, Dr. Samuel Betances.
The essay chronicles his journey as a first-generation college student in the world of higher education. A world for which he was not prepared. In his quest for upward mobility, Carlos agreed to be mentored by Dr. Samuel Betances and Dr. Laura Souder who are partners in both education and marriage.
With their mentorship, Carlos went from being a high school and college dropout to earning an Associates degree from Wright Community College and a Bachelors degree from Northeastern Illinois University; while graduating with honors, being on the Dean's List 2002, and accepting an invitation to join Phi Theta Kappa which is the International Honor Society of Two-Year Colleges. Carlos is the first member of his family to graduate from college.
Published in 2012, Carlos wrote an essay for the book, Winning the Future Though Education: One Step at a Time, written by Dr. Samuel Betances. The essay appears in the fifth chapter titled, "Step 5: Leverage Free Time to Sprint Ahead," in the section labeled, "Getting It Right: Case Study."
The essay shines light on methods Carlos learned from his mentor, other professors and serious students which were paramount to his success. Lacking those skills while attending college the first time was the reason he failed and dropped out. With mentoring, a new focus and a second opportunity was all Carlos needed in order to graduate from a community college and a university, all while earning high honors.
Carlos gets personal in the essay. He shares obstacles and failures, the biggest of which was his biological family. The dysfunction he experienced motivated him to return and finish what he started. He used it to catapult him to levels unseen by anyone he was related to. His is a story of triumph.