Jacob Romero speaks with quiet confidence—the kind born from years of hard work, self-discovery and a vision finally coming into focus. In his final year at Union County Early College (UCEC), he embodies what early college programs aim to achieve: a young person graduating with both a high school diploma and an associate degree, along with a deep sense of direction, resilience, and curiosity.
“It’s exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time,” Jacob admitted, reflecting on graduation. “I have a set plan for my future, but it feels weird for it all to be happening already. It’s gone by fast.”
Jacob will walk across two stages in May—first as a high school graduate on May 13, then again on May 17 as a college graduate from South Piedmont Community College. These milestones mark the end of a journey he began four years ago when he chose to leave a traditional high school path and enroll at UCEC.
“I came here because I saw the opportunity to get ahead,” he said. “Getting my associate's degree for free made sense.”
But his path was not always clear. As a freshman, Jacob explored computer science, accounting, and pharmacy. Each course helped him better understand what truly interested him and shaped his thinking about the future.
“I discovered I didn’t have the passion for computer science I thought I did,” he said. “I was interested in pharmacy because of the chemistry involved, but I realized I was more curious about how the human body works than the medications used to treat it.”
Ultimately, his decision to pursue medicine came from personal reflection and family influence. His father, a former emergency medical technician who now works in healthcare information technology, and his mother, a longtime registered nurse, introduced him early on to the world of patient care—its language and daily realities.
“They were excited when I chose medicine,” Jacob said. “They were a little worried about the stress, but I know it’s what I want.”
Jacob is also fluent in Spanish, a skill he plans to use in his future medical career. He understands how important it is to communicate effectively with patients from diverse backgrounds and sees bilingualism as a way to make healthcare more inclusive and compassionate.
This fall, Jacob will attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he plans to major in biology and minor in either chemistry or bioinformatics. While he has not settled on a specialty, he’s comfortable with the uncertainty.
“I don’t need to know exactly what I’ll be yet,” he explained. “What matters is that I’m doing something I love—something that helps people and challenges me to keep learning.”
That mindset shows in his enthusiasm for classes like biology and chemistry, where conversations often moved beyond the curriculum.
“We had real conversations,” he said, “not just about science, but about how the world works.”
Outside of class, Jacob joined clubs like Good Planet, which focused on community service and environmental stewardship, and the Debate Club, where he sharpened his communication and critical thinking skills.
“Volunteering showed me different sides of the world—people’s struggles, their needs,” he said. “It helped me become more empathetic.”
Ask Jacob what advice he would give younger students trying to figure out their path, and his answer is clear: talk to people already doing the work.
“Mentors make a huge difference,” he said. “Even if your parents don’t work in that field, they might know someone who does. Ask questions. Learn what the job is really like.”
And for those considering UCEC?
“Time management is everything,” Jacob said. “Get a planner. Break big assignments into small tasks. Treat your classes like they matter—because they do. That mindset shift changed everything for me.”
Though only 18, Jacob carries himself with the self-awareness of someone far older—a quality he attributes, in part, to being an only child and spending much of his life around adults. His time at the early college was one of quiet persistence and steady growth. He does not boast. He reflects. And in doing so, he quietly inspires.
“Looking back, it wasn’t just about academics. It was about learning to manage my time, stay focused and find balance. These skills will help me in whatever I do next, whether it’s continuing my education or eventually stepping into my medical career,” Jacob shared.
With a heart for service, a mind for science, and the humility to keep learning, Jacob is not just ready for what’s next—he is made for it.
05/12/2025
