In Service to Country and All Creatures

Growing up, animals were always a big part of Genesis Jimenez’s life. As a young girl, the Northampton Community College (NCC) student recalls having chickens, turtles, cats, and dogs in her family home in San Juan, Puerto Rico. “I had a love for them, and I wanted to advocate for them and their health and well-being.” 

In 2007, she moved with her mother and sister to Reading, Pa., for better opportunities and to have the “American dream,” says Jimenez.  

Jimenez knew she would head to college to pursue her dream of working with animals. Thanks to the Upward Bound Program through the Department of Education, Jimenez was able to prepare fully for her journey.  

Upward Bound is a federally-funded educational program designed to help college-bound students navigate the process before college, learning where their interests lie, what colleges might be right for them, helping with applying to college, and more.   

Through Upward Bound, Jimenez discovered NCC where she started studying in 2021 in the veterinary technician program. The program is a good fit, she believes, because she’s able to learn the technical end of the job, which Jimenez feels will better prepare her for a degree in animal science or pre-veterinary down the line. 

One of the best experiences she’s had was her job shadow opportunity with the Center for Animal Health and Welfare in Easton. “It was before I had any real-world experience, and it helped me gain insight and gave me tips for my studies.” 

Attending NCC is a family affair, with Jimenez and her sister making NCC their home away from home. 

“I live in the Residence Halls [on Bethlehem campus], and it makes the college experience even better for me,” she says. “My sister also attends and lives in the Residence Halls, which is really nice. We go to campus events and study in the library together.”  

Jimenez enlisted in the Army National Guard when she was 17 for educational opportunities, and through her service, she receives a full scholarship to attend NCC and any future college of her choosing. She's an Army culinary specialist.  

In 2022, she found out she was being deployed. She was gone from December 2022 until July 2023, and when she came back, she resumed her studies in the Spring 2024 semester.  

“Everyone was very accommodating when I had to leave,” she says. “They would have a spot reserved for me to continue my studies when I came back because it’s a selective program. One of my professors, Tracey D'Imperio-lasslett [adjunct faculty in the Veterinary Technician Program], even gave me a gift box when I was overseas.” 

Jimenez’s contract with the National Guard ended in January 2025 after her seven months in Kuwait.  

“Being in a new country for that period of time taught me a lot, like how deeply religion is woven into everyday life. The call to prayer echoes throughout the day. Living and working there gave me a deeper appreciation for cultural differences and reminded me how important it is to be respectful and open-minded, especially when you’re a guest in another country,” she says. 

Now, as Jimenez finishes her program, set to walk across the stage at Commencement this winter, she thinks about what the future holds for her. 

Jimenez looks forward to more travel, this time to Hawaii’s Magical Creatures Sanctuary to help goats, cows, pigs, and other animals as a part of a work trade program where she volunteers her time for housing and meals. “I can use my skills I learned at NCC to rehabilitate and take care of the animals. I’ll be able to do more hands-on veterinary work like blood draws and so forth,” she says. 

Once her work trade program ends, Jimenez wants to attend Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pa., for their veterinary nursing program to get her bachelor’s degree. One day, she may re-enlist to become an animal care specialist for working dogs and animals on bases in the military.  

Wherever Jimenez’s journey leads, one thing is certain: it will be filled with meaningful and exciting opportunities to work with the animals she so loves.