Jisenia Torres’ childhood dream was to teach and inspire others. She turned that dream into reality while navigating motherhood, a full-time job, and moving to another state. 

Her journey toward career success began with the birth of her child. As a single mother, the weight of responsibility fueled her determination. According to the Today’s Students Coalition, a national bipartisan collaboration focused on ensuring equitable outcomes in higher education policies, nearly 10% of all U.S. undergraduate students, approximately 1.7 million, were single mothers in 2023. Recognizing that education was the key to achieving her goals, Torres enrolled at Middlesex College in New Jersey, where she earned certificates in typing and Excel to create a better future for herself and her daughter. 

After completing her certificates, Middlesex College offered Torres a full-time secretary position, which allowed her to start working toward her associate degree. Balancing work, school, and motherhood was no easy feat, but Jisenia’s determination never wavered. As she explained, “I have the support of my mom, who helps me take care of my baby, so I am grateful.” Eventually, Jisenia earned her associate’s degree in education, becoming a first-generation college graduate. 

Torres’ commitment to personal and professional growth led her to pursue further education at Thomas Edison State University in New Jersey, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2010. During this time, Torres also gained valuable experience through an internship at Middlesex College, where she worked as a counselor in the admissions office. 

After completing her bachelor’s degree, Middlesex College offered a full-time position as an admissions representative in recognition of her hard work and dedication. She expressed her enthusiasm for working in higher education, saying, “I love to work with students because I enjoy seeing them come in and graduate from the institution.” Her passion for her work was evident as she excelled in the role, and her commitment to higher education eventually led to her promotion to student services manager, a position she held for fifteen years. 

During this fifteen-year journey, Torres shared, “I worked in a fast-paced environment, involved in many different areas, which helped me become an easygoing person who lives day by day, not letting anything stress me out.” The valuable lessons she learned along the way inspired her to continue pursuing her educational goals while maintaining her career as a student services manager.

When the pandemic hit worldwide, Jisenia earned a master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership. She reflected, “Again, I never thought I would pursue my master’s degree.” After graduating, Jisenia was eager to improve and embrace new career challenges. She applied for a position at Brookdale Community College, where she became the Associate Director of Admissions and began teaching, further expanding her expertise in higher education. 

In April 2024, her husband received an offer from Orlando Health, prompting Jisenia to make the difficult decision to move to Orlando to support his career and his longtime dream of living in Florida. Jisenia, ever focused on her own goals, said, “I have goals, and he supports me in my goals, so it was time to support him with his goals.” 

Leaving behind New Jersey was a challenge for Torres. She explained, “I needed to have a conversation with my kids to explain that mommy wouldn’t be there, that I was packing and selling the house and moving to another state. I was depressed for two months after moving here because I missed my people, but my husband made it easier for me by taking me to new places and walking to different parks, making it more enjoyable.” 

Upon moving to Orlando, Torres applied for a position as answer center manager at Valencia College. While the manager of the Answer Center at the West Campus position wasn’t exactly what she had envisioned, having already held similar roles, she saw it as an opportunity for growth. She said, “I have the mentality that in order to move up, you need to open the door.” With this mindset, she accepted the role of Answer Center manager. 

One of Torres’ key responsibilities at the Answer Center is supervising seven full-time enrollment navigators and four part-time staff members. She also serves as a mentor to student leaders, guiding them in their professional development and fostering stronger connections with students and the community. Torres creates workshops and group discussions to help students learn more about the labor field. Daniel Turrigo, a student leader at the Answer Center, is excited to work with her because she always strives to keep the team close and appreciated. He shared, “She consistently brings candies, donuts, and bagels for everyone, which is a thoughtful gesture that shows her appreciation for all we do. It makes me feel welcome.” 

Caption: Student leaders participating in the Resume and Cover Letter Workshop for Torres, in collaboration with the Career Center. 

When Torres stepped into this role, she was faced with a significant challenge. Her team had gone two years without a supervisor and was unfamiliar with having structured guidance. Torres knew that to build a strong team, she needed to understand everyone’s strengths and weaknesses. She dedicated time to working closely with her team, providing support and direction, and gradually helping them adapt to a new structure. 

The Answer Center offers support for general enrollment questions, both on campus and online. Enrollment navigators assist with admissions, financial aid, transcripts, residency, and more. From December 2, 2024, to February 20, 2025, the center served 3,441 students in person and 6,189 online, with each session averaging 14 to 16 minutes. 

Through these efforts, Jisenia has fostered team growth and turned challenges into opportunities for success. Gisselle Navarro, a full-time enrollment navigator at Valencia, has grown professionally while working alongside Jisenia. She shared, “Jisenia’s leadership style is transformational; she consistently motivates the team to succeed.” 

She has continued to adjust to her life in Orlando and has shared the things she loves about Valencia College, such as Spring Break, Friday breaks, and winter break; benefits her jobs in New Jersey did not offer. She also mentioned, “My favorite place to visit in Orlando is Mount Dora, because it feels very peaceful.”

These experiences have helped her embrace her new life, balancing work, and personal growth, and enjoying the calm moments that Orlando has to offer.  

Jisenia Torres’ 21-year journey in higher education is a testament to resilience, hard work, and the unwavering belief that with determination and the right mindset, every challenge is an opportunity for growth.