For Maria Croom of O’Neill, serving others has always been more than a responsibility. As a volunteer firefighter, EMT, patient care aide, CPR instructor, and mother of six, she has dedicated much of her life to helping those around her. Now, through Northeast Community College’s Nursing program and TRIO student support services, she is pursuing a lifelong dream of becoming a nurse and expanding her impact on the O’Neill community.
Maria’s road to higher education was not a straight path.
More than a decade ago, Maria enrolled in college with aspirations to build a better future for herself. However, when the institution she attended closed its doors, she was left without the credentials she had worked towards, leaving her unsure of her next steps. Discouraged by the experience, she stepped away from higher education and focused on work, family, and community service.
“I kind of gave up on myself,” Maria said. “But my husband encouraged me to do what I really wanted to do, which was become a nurse.”
Today, Maria is proving that it is never too late to pursue a dream.
As a resident of O’Neill, Maria, balances an exceptionally busy schedule. She works full-time as a patient care aide at Valley Hope, serves as a volunteer firefighter and EMT, teaches CPR courses through Northeast, acts as a training officer for her local fire department, and volunteers as a regional youth soccer commissioner. At home, she and her husband are raising six children.
Yet twice a week, Maria makes the trip from O’Neill to Norfolk for nursing classes, often leaving home early in the morning, and returning late at night.
Despite the demands, she remains committed to earning her nursing degree.
“When I started looking into nursing school, I wanted to be a nurse, but I didn’t think I had the time or the money to do that,” she said.
That changed when staff members at Northeast’s O’Neill Extended Campus, many of whom had previously worked with Maria for other certifications, encouraged her to reconsider her dream of becoming a nurse. Knowing her capabilities and commitment to serving others, they assured her that returning to college was possible and helped her explore financial aid, class schedules, and support services available to help her succeed as a nontraditional student.
An impactful part of her journey was through Northeast’s TRIO Student Support Services program. Through scholarship assistance, academic guidance, and personal support, TRIO helped remove barriers that might have prevented Maria from continuing her education.
“Something that seemed pretty impossible to me suddenly became pretty possible,” she said.
As a first-generation college student whose parents immigrated from Mexico, Maria said navigating higher education was not always easy. Without family experience guiding her through the college process, she often had to figure things out on her own.
Now, she hopes her educational journey will encourage her children to follow their own goals, and she looks forward to helping them navigate the college process with confidence.
Maria said the lessons she’s learned through Northeast have extended far beyond the classroom. She specifically credited TRIO advisor Josh Becker for helping her build confidence and navigate the challenges of returning to college. Through his guidance and support, she developed communication and stress-management skills that have strengthened relationships within her family and improved the way she approaches challenges in everyday life.
While earning a nursing degree is an important milestone, Maria’s long-term vision reaches even further.
She plans to earn both her LPN and RN credentials, continue advancing her medical training, and help strengthen healthcare and emergency response services in rural Nebraska communities. Her experience as an EMT and firefighter has shown her the critical role healthcare professionals play in rural areas, and she hopes to be part of that solution.
“I’ve spent much of my life serving the community as a firefighter, EMT, and caregiver. Becoming a nurse is the next step in that journey, and it will allow me to help even more people when they need it most,” Maria said.
For Maria, becoming a nurse is about more than achieving a personal goal. It is the next chapter in a lifetime of service.
Whether responding to emergency calls, supporting patients through difficult moments, raising six children, or pursuing a college degree, she continues to demonstrate resilience, determination, and a commitment to making a difference.
Through Northeast Community College, Maria rediscovered a dream she once believed was out of reach, and it turned into a reality that will benefit not only her family but her entire community.
Maria’s story reflects the experiences of many first-generation students who are pursuing higher education while balancing work, family responsibilities, and community commitments. Through supportive programs, dedicated faculty and staff, and resources, Northeast Community College helps students overcome barriers, build confidence, and achieve goals that can create opportunities for generations to come. By investing in first-generation learners, Northeast is empowering individuals like Maria to transform their own lives while strengthening the communities they call home. For more information, visit the Northeast website.
