Jeremiah Silva’s Transformation Through Purpose and Community

After years of setbacks, self-doubt, and resilience, he has found his calling in psychology, driven by a desire to help others through the challenges he has faced himself. Jeremiah says, “Aims has really helped me grow up to be the person I want to be.”

At first, Jeremiah viewed college as just a place to get an education. Eventually, he got involved with student services and co-curricular activities, including The MOSAIC (Multicultural Office for Student Affinity, Inclusion, and Community), TRIO Support Services, LULAC and Bear Catholic at UNC. These experiences helped him evolve into a dedicated student and an emerging leader. 

Building a Meaningful Future

Jeremiah grew up in Greeley, Colorado and attended public, private and charter schools, including Scott Elementary, St. Mary’s Catholic School, and University High. Although he was familiar with Aims, his path began with uncertainty. Fresh out of high school, he enrolled in his first semester in Fall 2019, juggling five classes with a full-time job. Overwhelmed, he struggled academically, eventually taking a break to reassess his goals. 

Jeremiah planned to return to school in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic upended those plans, forcing him into an even longer break from academic pursuits. During his time away from Aims, Jeremiah worked multiple jobs, ranging from customer service to COVID screening, which allowed him to develop interpersonal skills and resilience. But he felt unfulfilled. “I wanted more out of life,” he said. “I didn’t want a job just to get me through the bills; I wanted something that had meaning.”

In 2022, he returned to Aims with a newfound determination and a clear goal: a career in psychology. Inspired by his experiences with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety, Jeremiah aims to work in clinical counseling, focusing on teenagers facing similar challenges. “I want to help students who feel alone and let them know they’re not,” he said. “It can be hard when you feel like sometimes you just want to be ‘normal.’”

To take care of his mental health, Jeremiah utilized CARE and Counseling Services at Aims, which offers free short-term confidential counseling sessions with a licensed therapist at no cost to the student. Over time, the CARE office became a place where Jeremiah could talk through personal struggles and receive guidance tailored to his needs. He began meeting a counselor who gave him the support and understanding he needed during challenging moments. Through CARE, Jeremiah learned to communicate his needs, embrace support, and develop resilience, skills that have since fueled his determination to pursue a career in psychology.

For multiple reasons, including mental health struggles, Jeremiah struggled academically during his initial semesters at Aims. He could’ve lost his financial aid due to not meeting the requirements. This was a critical moment for him, as his ability to continue his education depended on successfully appealing to regain his aid.  He needed to complete a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal.

“I remember the day I found out I needed to do a SAP Appeal — it was devastating," Jeremiah recalled. "I had just gotten a work-study job and was excited about my return to school. Suddenly, it felt like everything was falling apart.”

Jeremiah described how overwhelming the process initially seemed. “It was a wake-up call,” he said. “I had to prove I was serious about turning things around.” Determined to continue his education, he met with Dana Jones, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Disability Access Services, whose support became instrumental in navigating the appeal.

Working closely together during the appeal and after, Jones observed that Jeremiah stayed true to his word and dug into the hard work needed to stay engaged and reach his goals. “He worked to make some necessary changes for progress towards graduation,” she said. “Instead of giving up, he made commitments to himself and followed through on them. It hasn't been easy, but he has been persistent.”

Jeremiah credits Jones with helping him find his footing during one of the most challenging periods of his college experience. Her guidance enabled him to stay enrolled at Aims and taught him the value of persistence, accountability, and reaching out for help when needed.

“Without Dana, I don’t know if I’d still be here,” he reflected. “She gave me the tools and encouragement I needed to get back on track, and that’s something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Tools to Thrive at Aims and Beyond

Another stop on his journey was the Seeds Leadership Program, a MOSAIC program. Jeremiah believes that his involvement reshaped his perspective on leadership and self-worth. At first hesitant, he found the program transformative. “When it comes to gaining leadership skills, I’ve always doubted myself because I’ve never felt good enough to lead people," he shared.

“These programs gave me the tools and the confidence to believe in myself and help others believe in themselves.”

In the program, Jeremiah discovered leadership's true meaning and began overcoming his self-doubt. “One of the first lessons I learned was the difference between equity and equality,” he said. “I thought they meant the same thing, but I learned that equity is about giving everyone the resources they need to succeed, not just treating everyone the same.” This insight reshaped his understanding of fairness and how he could advocate for others.

Jeremiah’s transformation is evident in his work-study role as a Student Advising Mentor in the Pathway Advising. Every day, he helps students register for classes, a role that allows him to guide others while honing his counseling skills. “I love helping people,” he said. “I want to help new students find their way, just like others helped me.”

In Spring 2025, Jeremiah will graduate from Aims and transfer to the University of Northern Colorado, where he hopes to complete his bachelor's and a master's in clinical counseling. His goal is to become a counselor who supports young people facing mental health challenges, making sure they feel seen, heard, and understood.

“Aims has really helped me grow into the person I want to be,” Jeremiah reflected. “I’m grateful to be here. If I could go back and tell my younger self everything I’ve done, he wouldn’t believe it.”