Joel Cintron knows what it costs to keep going. He’s paid it more than once.

After graduating high school in 2011, Joel enrolled at Passaic County Community College (PCCC) with aspirations to join the nursing program. As a child, he’d spent significant time in hospitals due to seizures, which led him to develop a deep respect for medical professionals. That respect became a calling.

But the transition from high school to college proved harder than expected. Living away from home for the first time, Joel faced intense homesickness and anxiety that affected both his mental health and his academic performance. By the end of his first semester, he made the difficult decision to leave.

In 2013, determined to try again, Joel re-enrolled at PCCC while working full time. He passed his first semester. Then the balance became unsustainable: full-time work, academic responsibilities, and social anxiety that made maintaining progress feel nearly impossible. Between 2013 and 2016, he tried multiple times to return, and each time, consistent obstacles stood in the way.

The turning point

Joel’s path with ReUp began when he was feeling overwhelmed by past setbacks and uncertain about what came next. An email from ReUp prompted him to explore coaching. Intrigued, and drawn by the fact that the support was offered at no cost, Joel scheduled a meeting with Coach Kate, one of ReUp’s Success Coaches.

“With Coach Kate and the support of my mother, I was able to continue to fight that uphill battle and eventually get to the top,” he said. Coach Kate’s honest, sometimes hard-to-hear perspective helped Joel navigate his academic and personal challenges. That combination of external support and his own determination made a difference.

For Joel, higher education isn’t just about a degree. It’s about purpose. “I spent a lot of time in the hospital and I have an admiration for those working in healthcare. I always wanted to give back to people and to help people feel better,” Joel said. When he re-enrolled at PCCC in 2024 with Coach Kate’s help, he chose the radiography program, a decision shaped by his own health experiences and his desire to help others.

Embracing support and accountability

One of Joel’s ongoing challenges has been severe social anxiety disorder, with daily symptoms that sometimes included heart palpitations, dizziness, and panic attacks that made attending classes difficult.

A pivotal moment came during his first semester after re-enrolling in 2024. A severe panic attack landed him in the hospital. Alone in the ER for nearly seven hours, Joel used the time to reflect. He turned to his faith. And in that hospital room, he made a decision: he would not let anxiety dictate his future.

From that moment on, Joel remained focused. He finished his first semester and is now looking forward to the fall.

“I’m a firm believer in finishing what you started, despite roadblocks and other issues that can sometimes entangle us or make us lose our way.” His faith gave him the strength to keep moving when faced with setbacks.

Learner pro tip “Take a step and make a decision. Your indecision leads to inaction and ultimately failure. Prepare yourself, seek help, and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.” — Joel Cintron

Joel believes that the first step back matters most, regardless of how small. To those facing similar challenges, his advice is grounded in experience: open up, accept help, and use the resources available. “No one has to face their challenges alone,” he says. “There are people and resources available to help every step of the way.”

As Joel continues his radiography program, with an expected graduation in 2026, he remains driven by where he started and where he’s going.