Lenore McCrory, 54, graduated from UC San Diego last June with a degree in literature/English. A native of Mexico, she came to the U.S. more than 30 years ago to learn English and has been accepted into UC San Diego’s literature doctorate program. McCrory has always had an adventurous spirit and a thirst for learning. She is an advocate for the community college program which promotes transfer to UC San Diego.

1. Why did you choose to major in literature/English?  

McCrory: When I first came to the U.S., I didn’t even speak enough English to order breakfast at a restaurant. I felt so disadvantaged that I made it a top priority to learn the language as well or better than the average American. Years later, when I thought about a career in teaching, English literature was a natural choice not only because of my love of literature, but also because of employability. An English teacher can get a job just about anywhere in the world. It’s a very portable occupation and a very rewarding one as well.  

2. What are your plans now that you have you've graduated with a degree in literature/English?  

McCrory: I have been accepted into the doctoral program in English literature here at UCSD. My end goal is to become a professor of English composition and/or literature at the university level. I also look forward to pursuing my newly discovered passion for academic research.  

3. What made you want to go back to school as an adult?  

McCrory: Necessity was the main factor in my decision to go back to college. At age 50, I found myself in need of a job and at loose ends. Although I’d had a variety of office jobs with salaries well above minimum wage, I realized that despite what the law says, my age had become an obstacle to my employability. One way to offset that disadvantage was to get myself a college degree. So I enrolled at Southwestern Community College, which became my springboard to higher education and broader goals.  

4. What was it like for you being in a younger environment?  

McCrory: For the most part, I loved being in a younger environment and felt accepted by my fellow students, even well-liked by some of them. Sometimes I felt painfully out of place, though, especially in some of the after-hours social activities obviously intended for the younger set. I also felt out of place in the honors’ seminar, surrounded as I was by bright and agile young minds. At times, being older was plain humorous, as oftentimes students and staff alike assumed I was the professor!  

5. What were your first impressions of UCSD and what initially drew you to UCSD?  

McCrory: My first impressions of UCSD were hearsay. I was told it was an excellent and rather elite university with tough admissions and a tiny Latino student population. Someone even advised me to go elsewhere, to a university where Latinos were more welcome. Being a little contrary, however, those comments only made me more determined to get in. Then, UCSD’s outreach officer visited SWCC and assured us that the university wanted us. I didn’t quite trust his explanations, but I applied anyway, gambling the application fee. To my delight and amazement, I was accepted! Once in, I was surprised and delighted by how “normal” and approachable most faculty members are.

6. What advice would you give to an incoming student about succeeding at UCSD?  

McCrory: The single, most important piece of advice I can give an incoming student is to develop solid relationships with faculty early on. Professors are very responsive to sincerely interested students and will sometimes open doors that you didn’t even know existed. You can’t ask for that kind of help; it has to come spontaneously. And it can only happen when they know you, your interests, and your abilities well enough. I feel sure that my relationships with faculty have been instrumental to my acceptance into the doctoral program. 

7. What are your favorite spots on campus?  

McCrory: I love the entire campus, but I favor the outdoor café outside Mandeville Theater and the theater’s comfortable lobby, where I have spent many a study hour between classes. I also love to cut across the eucalyptus groves. The library doesn’t make my list only because I get very aggravated at the pervasive cell-phone use in what is supposed to be a quiet place. 

8. What surprised you most about campus life?  

McCrory: What I found most surprising about campus life is how pampered we students are by the university and by our colleges (in my case, by TMC). I really have felt like as long as I did my part (big caveat), I was supported in every way to resolve almost any problem that got in the way of my academic goals. Besides the countless social and sports activities organized by our individual colleges to fulfill our social needs, there is financial aid, legal aid, career counseling, faculty mentoring, psychological counseling, and every imaginable support system to ensure we are not sidetracked! It’s a surprising and wonderful feeling having the university’s support behind you. 

9. What do you do to unwind?  

McCrory: My idea of a good time usually involves the ocean. I love to pack a picnic and a bottle of wine and find a shady bench at Harbor Island to watch the ships go by, or a spot above the cliffs at La Jolla Cove to watch the sunset. Sometimes, on a hot day, I will brave the frigid Alaskan current and wrestle with the waves like I did as a child in the tropical Mexican waters. There is still much of the child in me. Maybe that’s why I’ve enjoyed so much my experience in a younger environment at UCSD.