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HILLSBORO, Ore. – Yareli Cornejo Torres, an alumna of Portland Community College's Health Studies Program, has emerged as a beacon of inspiration and change in the realm of public health advocacy. 

After graduating with an associate degree from PCC in 2018, Cornejo Torres continued her educational journey, earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Portland State University (PSU). Today, she stands as a testament to the transformative power of education and perseverance.

Cornejo Torres's journey began with her participation in the BUILD EXITO Program, a groundbreaking collaboration between PCC, PSU, and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). This innovative initiative aims to cultivate the talents of underrepresented students interested in biomedical, public health, and social science research careers. Through BUILD EXITO, Cornejo Torres not only honed her research skills but also found her calling in advocating for marginalized communities.

She continued her studies with the program at PSU, where she researched the barriers and facilitators of health research among Spanish-speaking Mexican and Mexican-American women, graduating from PSU in 2020. Through her research project she was able to collaborate with the Mexican Consulate. Her project helped her continue to implement this research through her position at the OHSU Women’s Health Research Unit.

Reflecting on her educational background, Cornejo Torres expressed gratitude for the opportunities she received at PCC. She didn’t speak a word of English when she started kindergarten with her parents struggling to understand how to navigate the Oregon education system. From a young age, she said, she struggled with school, specifically with math and science courses. 

“As a first-generation college student, I dealt with a lot of anxiousness and felt like I shouldn't be part of higher education,” she said. “But PCC provided me with invaluable support and resources that helped me succeed.”

Cornejo Torres’s dedication to her studies and her community has propelled her into a fulfilling career in public health advocacy. Currently serving as a behavioral health resource specialist at OHSU Family Medicine at Richmond, Cornejo Torres is committed to eliminating barriers to health care access, particularly for non-English-speaking populations.

“When it comes to health research, participation often excludes folks that are non-English speakers,” she said. “So, being able to introduce health research and eliminate barriers to participation is vital towards inclusivity.”

Looking ahead, Cornejo Torres harbors ambitious goals for the future. 

“I want to obtain a dual degree at the OHSU School of Public Health for both a master’s in Epidemiology and Social Work at PSU,” she said. “Eventually, I would like to work in a hospital setting and provide resources to patients, extending similar support to households across the country.”

As she continues her journey, Cornejo Torres remains deeply rooted in her mission to empower communities and promote health equity.

For her full profile, visit: www.pcc.edu/news/2024/04/yareli-cornejo-torres/

About Portland Community College: Founded in 1961, Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 50,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, 10 education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/