Student Success: Melissa Castro

Melissa Castro is a senior planning to graduate from the University of Houston-Downtown, through LSC-University Center, in July or August 2010. Castro, an interdisciplinary study major, attended classes at LSC-Tomball, LSC-North Harris and LSC-Greenspoint Center and received her associate's degree in business management. She decided to take classes at the University Center because of the convenience.

Castro lives in Spring and works for the Xerox Corporation, currently assigned to the Conroe Regional Hospital. "I love it out here,"Castro said. "It's beautiful. And it's so convenient."

Castro said she is somewhat undecided about her future immediately following graduation this summer and is deciding between careers in teaching or academic advising. As a teacher she could stay near her daughter who is in the first grade. But she has been inspired by the assistance she received from Shouna Massey, the University of Houston-Downtown academic advisor at the University Center to consider academic advising as a career.

"I do enjoy working with adults and helping people realize their goals," Castro said. Once she completes her bachelor's degree, she may continue her classes regardless of the direction her career takes. "I'm looking at my master's from the University Center as well," she said.