“As someone who speaks both English and Spanish and has experienced life in two different countries, I would love to use my background to help patients from different communities,” Alberto Robles Portillo said.
Portillo transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University this year through the NEXT Step VCU dual-admissions program after completing his associate degree at Reynolds Community College, [VCU News reported]. The journey began at age 15 when Portillo and his family moved from Chiapas, Mexico, to the United States.
The transition presented initial hurdles in adapting to a new educational system and culture. Now a biology major in the College of Humanities and Sciences, Portillo aims to attend medical school and practice emergency medicine.
Launched in 2025, the NEXT Step program connects local community college students with a structured pathway to VCU. The dual-admission framework lets students apply two years of community college credits directly toward a bachelor’s degree while receiving academic advising and transition services.
“As a first-generation college student, navigating the transfer process was especially new to me,” Portillo said.
Portillo credited NEXT Step leader Valerie Bartush and transfer center coordinator Ian Coyle with helping him manage the transfer requirements. Alongside his science coursework, Portillo plans to study political science to examine the intersection of public health and healthcare policy.
The NEXT Step initiative aims to reduce traditional transfer friction through coordinated advising and credit alignment.
“Starting at a community college does not limit what you can accomplish,” Portillo said.
“In my experience, it provided me with a strong academic foundation and prepared me for the next chapter of my education at VCU.”
The university campus environment in Richmond offered unexpected cultural and academic opportunities, according to Portillo. He pointed to campus diversity as a key asset for students balancing multiple cultural backgrounds.
The initiative is a dual-admissions program launched in 2025 to support local community college students transferring to VCU. It allows students to apply two years of community college credits toward a bachelor’s degree while offering specialized advising and transition services.
Portillo is majoring in biology within the College of Humanities and Sciences with plans to attend medical school for emergency medicine. He also plans to study political science to better understand public health policy.
He completed his associate degree at Reynolds Community College before entering the dual-admissions program.
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