Uriel Robles

Since Academic Advisor Uriel Robles began his journey with SCPS in 2021, his professional trajectory has taken an unexpected yet deeply fulfilling turn. Initially, his career was geared towards guiding traditional high school students through the transition to college. The prospect of working with adult learners and post-traditional students was not something he had anticipated. However, his time at SCPS has opened his eyes to the unique challenges and rewards that come with advising this demographic, ultimately leading him to redefine the kind of work he wants to do. 

The students who walk through SCPS’s doors come from diverse backgrounds, each bringing a wealth of personal and professional experiences that shape their educational journeys. Uriel has had the privilege of getting to know these students on a deeper level, understanding their motivations, their struggles, and their aspirations. He has witnessed their resilience as they juggle education with careers, families, and other responsibilities, and he has seen how transformative their time at SCPS can be.  

One of the aspects of SCPS that Uriel values most is its applied-focused curriculum. He understands that for many adult learners, returning to school is a significant undertaking, one that requires balancing academic demands with existing professional and personal commitments. SCPS’s curriculum is designed with this in mind, ensuring that students gain practical, immediately applicable skills that can enhance their careers and enrich their lives.  

“We recognize that deciding to go back to school can be a bit of a Herculean task depending on where you are in your career and family. To ensure that students are really getting the most of their time and sacrifice, our faculty are encouraged to teach the professional and technical skills students can use right away.” 

Whether it's mastering accounting techniques that can be utilized at work, learning project management strategies that can be applied in other courses, or developing conflict management skills that improve personal relationships, SCPS students leave each class with tangible tools that make a real difference.  

Beyond the curriculum, Uriel is consistently inspired by the students themselves. SCPS students epitomize the adage "it's never too late." They come to SCPS at various stages of life—some returning to complete a degree they began years ago; others seeking to upskill and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving job market. What sets SCPS students apart, in Uriel's view, is their active engagement in learning. They are not just passive recipients of knowledge; they are deeply involved in the educational process, bringing their own experiences into the classroom to fill gaps and enhance their understanding. 

“SCPS students are incredibly flexible and resilient; they understand that there may need to be a Plan B or Plan C due to a shakeup that could happen at any given time in their lives. Despite these hurdles and obstacles, they continue to charge towards graduation all while inspiring those that they share their story with.”