Passport Student Voice: T’Kayah’s Story

In her own words, Passport student T’Kayah explains how her Passport student support coach, Kati Ortiz, has provided guidance and support during her college journey.

When I first started talking to Kati about the Passport program, I was kind of iffy about it. I didn’t really understand it, and in reality, we were still getting to know each other. 

Over time, Kati made it a lot easier to talk to her. She kept talking to me and really tried to develop our relationship and get to know me. She always asks how I’m doing and how class is going. I was nervous when I first met her; I wasn’t used to someone actually asking me how I was doing and being so forward with me. 

At the beginning of school, you get more help and you have more people guiding you, but then they kind of fade away, especially with COVID. But the Passport coach has been there the whole time, and she sticks it through and stays in touch with me. I think she even texts me, but my number is inconsistent so she emails me. I know I can ask her for help with understanding my problems, and she tutors me. She’s not just helping me with the paperwork and confusing stuff; she’s also there for me as a person. 

At the beginning of the new year, she sent a care package with things like pens, notebooks and papers, sticky notes, and stuff like that. It felt really cool to get that, and it really did help me out with school.

She’s also been great when I’m figuring out transportation. I live an hour away from campus, and I had to take a bus at six in the morning to get to school on time. Then I’d be there until 5 p.m., and there’s no late bus home. 

When I first started college, I was so much more confused—my classes, my schedule, and transportation … I tried to do everything myself. Since then, I’ve learned to ask people for help and get some perspective from others. 

Getting used to school and all the work was really difficult, but I’m committed. Right now I’m studying psychology. Ever since I was in 7th grade, I’ve always wanted to help people. I thought maybe being a caretaker would be nice, but I know that’s a physical toll. I was inspired by my own counselor and I think this is the path for me—I haven’t changed my focus at all since being in college. 

Kati can answer all my questions, and even though I don’t ask a lot right now, I want to reach out more. College is hard, but you gotta stick through it. There are a few times where I took breaks or took some time off. I’ve brought myself back up to where I need to be, and now I just need to keep it up. 

As a Passport student support coach, Kati provides direct assistance and college coaching to foster students eligible for the Passport to College program at Skagit Valley College. Learn more about our foster student support program and how Kati supports students.