Drawing from her own experiences, Marisol became deeply passionate about the transformative power of education. She understood firsthand the challenges of learning a new language and overcoming the self-doubt that often accompanies it. This drove her to become an advisor for the Community Education Project, where she shared her personal story with students, particularly migrants, immigrants and people of color, encouraging them to pursue their GED, higher education, improve their English, and build better careers. Through her work with the project, Marisol helped countless individuals break down barriers and create new opportunities, empowering them to build brighter futures for themselves and their families. Many of them are now in successful careers working in nonprofits and community collectives.

While working at the CEP, Marisol had the chance to reconnect with her first love—the arts—thanks to her coworker Yolanda Robles. Yolanda invited her to join Kimbobó, a social activist theater group, where Marisol merged her passion for community activism with her love for the arts. Through powerful performances, Kimbobó focused on important social issues such as AIDS education, domestic violence, and the cultural representation of Puerto Rican identity.

Today, Marisol continues to inspire others in her role at the Holyoke Community College Picknelly Adult & Family Education Center. There, she works to empower women and people of color, encouraging them to pursue their educational dreams and connect with the resources they need to succeed. She is dedicated to expanding people’s visions, helping them think bigger, and supporting them in their pursuit of a brighter future. Marisol takes immense pride in her work, especially when it comes to helping individuals improve their lives through education and community engagement.