It’s accurate to say plenty of things in education have changed over the past two decades, but the tools needed to succeed in college hold steady – qualities like persistence, patience, curiosity and flexibility.
Crystal Aguon possesses those traits in abundance, so when she decided in 2025 to pursue a new career as a physical therapist assistant, the 20-year lapse since her last college experience was a little less daunting than it could have been. Mostly.
“I needed to revamp the way I study,” she said, “but I didn’t hesitate to make the change.”
Aguon came to Pueblo in 2024 from Guam, where she lived for most of her life and built a successful career as a manager in the hospitality industry. She wasn’t sure what would come from the move but wanted her two sons to see that sometimes the best decision is the one with the least certainty surrounding it.
“The longer you hold on to that fear, the more it becomes a comfort zone,” she said. “I want to show my boys that you can go high, but you can start over, too.”
Her brother and his family – all Pueblo Community College alumni – were not shy about promoting the school as an option. After a tour and a detailed discussion with a PCC success coach, Aguon decided the PTA program and culture offered the best fit for her service-oriented personality.
“I was not this person in my 20s at all,” she said. “The food and beverage industry opened me up. Every table was an opportunity to serve and grow. Now I want to dive right in. I want the acute cases.”
A scholarship from the Kane Family Foundation made it possible for her to focus on school instead of taking classes around a full-time work schedule. She expects to graduate in spring 2027 and start her career in Pueblo – a way to give back to a community and school “that supported me and invested in my future.”
“I have zero regrets about all my career choices, but this one feels even more rewarding,” she said.
