A More Equitable and Accessible Education System is This Grad’s Career Goal

CNM has played an important role in Marijke Ypma’s life since she was four years old. Her mom enrolled at CNM to provide a better life for her family, and now Marijke is following in her mom’s footsteps with big plans for the future.

“I remember laying in my mom’s lap while she was studying, and it’s really her journey that showed me the doors that education can open,” she says. “I have also experienced my own struggles and successes in the education system, and I’m passionate about making those systems more equitable.”

Marijke’s passion for education also grew when she worked as a Youth Development Mentor for the Students Achieving for Excellence (SAFE) program through Rio Rancho Public Schools.

SAFE is a before-and-after school program that provides kindergarten through fifth grade students with a challenging environment and unique and engaging experiences. Youth Development Mentor positions are only available to Rio Rancho High School students, providing a unique opportunity for them to gain work experience and impact the next generation of students.

Her time with the SAFE program ultimately pushed Marijke to pursue a career in early childhood education.

“I absolutely fell in love with early childhood education and what it means for students,” she says. “One week, a student told me I was the thing they were most grateful for during a gratitude activity, and it hit me just how much of an impact I can have as an educator. Programs like SAFE also give parents and guardians the opportunity to provide for their children and better themselves, which is so important.”

After graduating from Rio Rancho Cyber Academy in May of 2024, Marijke quickly enrolled in CNM’s Early Childhood Multicultural Education and Modern Languages programs. She also had a head start, since she had been taking CNM dual credit courses since her junior year of high school.

In just one year, Marijke has earned her certificate in Child Development and American Sign Language and is on track to earn associate degrees in each of those programs by Spring 2026. In addition to her course work Marijke also belongs to the National Society of Leadership and Success and CNM’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.

Looking forward, Marijke plans to attend Texas A&M University to earn her PhD in Early Childhood Education and hopes to eventually do work that makes the American education system more equitable, regardless of a student’s race or socioeconomic status.

As for advice, Marijke says students should choose their path based on where they want to have an impact on the world.

“For a long time, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I was older, but when I realized the impact I could have on students and my community, I knew I’d found my path,” she says.