Born in Venezuela to Chinese immigrant parents, Valentina Ho Chang eventually settled in the United States during her high school years. Navigating the complexities of immigration, Valentina encountered challenges that forced her to pause her education for a period of two years. Undeterred, she pursued a GED and enrolled at Broward College, where she is now set to graduate with an associate degree in Biomedical Engineering. She will join thousands of other Broward College students who have earned lifechanging credentials during the College’s Fall 2023 Commencement Ceremony at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, on Thursday, December 14.  

Throughout her tenure at the College, Valentina has collected various notable achievements, including the Peer Forward Greenwald Leadership Scholarship and the Robert Elmore Honors FT Scholarship, honoring her passion for community engagement and commitment to academic excellence, respectively. 

With a dedication to giving back to her community, Valentina became a member of the UNICEF Club at Broward College. One of her impactful contributions includes creating letters of hope for ill and terminally ill children in hospitals. Valentina also regularly participated in the Peer Mentoring Program, where she fondly recalls forming meaningful connections and creating cherished memories with individuals on similar journeys.  

Despite grappling with immigration uncertainties and navigating non-traditional high school and college experiences, Valentina's academic pursuit remains unwavering. She has applied to top schools in the Northeastern United States, where she plans to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, accompanied by a minor in Mathematics. As the first in her family to pursue a college education, Valentina aims to continue her journey toward success, paving the way for future generations. 

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