Raizele Arceo

Raizele Arceo of Melrose Park, Illinois, feels completely at ease in her educational environment at Triton College. The supportive environment that Triton offers has encouraged her to pursue higher education. In a field where women have historically been underrepresented, Arceo appreciates the positive influence of her female instructors, who have made her feel welcomed and empowered.

“It’s amazing to see women instructors in this field,” said Arceo. “I don’t feel out of place. I deserve to be here.”

Arceo aims to pursue an engineering career to create tools and toys for her younger brother, who has autism and is nonverbal. Her main goal is to help others with autism by creating products tailored to those on the spectrum.

“I want to help individuals with autism in their everyday lives,” she said.

Born in the Philippines, Arceo came to the United States when she was 14 years old. After graduating from East Leyden High School, she enrolled at a four-year university and, after some time, decided to take a break from college and felt uncertain about her next steps.

“My brother went to Triton College, and I was looking for a sense of familiarity. I decided to enroll,” she said of her educational journey. “I felt very inspired by him to go to Triton. He received so much support, especially from Phi Theta Kappa (PTK). It motivated me to join PTK.” Arceo met Antigone Sharris, chairperson of Triton’s Engineering Technology Department, her second semester at Triton. She said Sharris encouraged her to network with companies at a recent International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) at McCormick Place.

“Antigone helped me realize the different opportunities I can reach with my degree in engineering technology,” said Arceo.

“Raizele has a keen eye for the details and is great working with others,” said Sharris. “These are key traits needed in our world!”

Looking ahead, Arceo plans to attend a university with hopes to study abroad and earn a bachelor’s degree.

“Triton can be for anyone because of the variety of classes, certificates and degrees they offer,” she said. “Regardless of background, many can succeed at Triton because of its supportive student-first structure and plethora of resources they provide.”Triton College’s Engineering Technology curriculum offers two-degree tracks: Mechanical Designs and Mechatronics (Robotics). There are four stackable certificate programs that contribute to these degrees. Both tracks include courses that develop skills in fundamental and advanced drafting and design, utilizing various 2D and 3D CAD systems and incorporating lean principle. Triton’s state-of-the-art facilities, programs and certificates set students up for success.