Thanks to the differential admission processes at the University of Cauca, Karen Liseth Riascos, born in the heart of López de Micay, was able to turn her dream into reality and begin her studies in the Medicine Program. Since her story is a testament to the transformative power of education, family, and friendship, we invite you to learn more about her journey and discover how this institution, approaching its bicentennial, continues to open paths, create opportunities, transform lives, and make dreams come true through quality public higher education.

To begin this story, it is important to mention that the Comprehensive Coverage Plan (PIC) is a National Government initiative aimed at expanding access to higher education by increasing university enrollments by 500,000 during the current Colombian administration. In this context, the University of Cauca has implemented various strategies not only to increase enrollment but also to strengthen the academic and socio-emotional competencies of applicants. This enriching process fills us with pride, as we have many stories to share.

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In the first semester of 2024, the university expanded its enrollment capacity by 370 spots, reaching a total of 1,940 new students. This achievement is partly attributable to the Immediate Transition to Higher Education Program (PTIES). This program facilitated academic leveling in the municipality of Guapi, enabling more young people to access higher education. At the same time, in municipalities such as López de Micay and Timbiquí, the program Learning Without Stress, Teaching with Love was implemented, allowing 54 students to enter the university in the first semester of 2024. Additionally, the expansion of enrollment also benefited students who applied for admission to the University of Cauca.

Regarding this topic, Dr. Aída Patricia González Nieva, Academic Vice Chancellor of our Alma Mater, states that "The differential admission process at the University of Cauca helps remove obstacles and barriers faced by young people from remote areas, such as difficulties in primary and secondary education, as well as an environment that often does not see education as a pathway to progress. Through leveling modules in mathematics, English, reading, and writing, this process provides students with the necessary tools to strengthen their competencies and knowledge, thereby reducing the gaps that hinder access to the university. Additionally, it contributes to the improvement of teaching in educational institutions, leaving installed capacity to generate an impact in the short, medium, and long term."

As if the previous efforts were not enough, this institution also signed agreements with eight municipalities in Cauca. These agreements allowed for the training of 685 students and the offering of 254 spots, 94 of which resulted in admissions for the first semester of 2025. These actions not only expand educational coverage but also strengthen secondary education and provide support to students and teachers, promoting more equitable and effective access to higher education. However, beyond these figures, there are inspiring stories that deserve to be heard firsthand. So, what if we focus on one experience that showcases the transformative power of education, family, and friendship?

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Karen Liseth Riascos Caicedo always had a clear dream: to become a doctor, help others, and change her life and that of her family! Born in López de Micay, a municipality in Cauca surrounded by the lush jungle of the Colombian Pacific, she grew up in an environment where higher education was a privilege that few could access. Her family, primarily dedicated to mining and other trades, supported her with love but lacked the resources and references to envision an academic future. "Besides saving lives, there was another reason—I wanted to improve myself. Almost no one in my family studied beyond high school. Perhaps not because they couldn’t, but because they didn’t have the mindset to pursue higher education. In Afro-descendant communities, studying for a professional career requires a lot of effort; it is very expensive, and leaving our hometown to move to a city where we know no one is difficult. Additionally, racism exists, and leaving our land to go somewhere new is complicated," Karen said, moved as she recalled that particular moment.

Regarding this situation, Álvaro René Restrepo Garcés, director of the Regionalization Center at the University of Cauca, explains that "The level of education of family members and an environment that offers illegal economic alternatives—enticing young people with immediate financial gains compared to the years required for education—are factors that hinder access to and retention in higher education. It is not just about academic competencies in basic subjects, but about breaking cultural dynamics that limit young people's vision of higher education, whether university, technical, or technological."

But this did not stop Karen Liseth from pursuing her dream—a dream that felt even closer when a group of professors from the University of Cauca visited her school, Institución Educativa Pablo VI, in López de Micay. For three months, she and her classmates received training in different subjects to prepare for the entrance exams. There was only one spot available in the Medicine program, and Karen Liseth decided to give it her all to secure it. With effort and dedication, she achieved the required score and earned her place at Unicauca. It was an enormous triumph, but it came with devastating news: on the same day she received her admission letter, she was also informed that her grandmother, Elizabeth, had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Joy was overshadowed by pain and uncertainty—she did not want to leave her grandmother during such a difficult time.

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Her grandmother, whom she affectionately calls "Mom," was the one who encouraged her to move forward. "We will take care of everything; you must go study," she told her firmly. With a heavy heart, Karen Liseth moved to Popayán and began her university journey. However, adapting was not easy. The academic level was demanding, and her lack of a strong foundational background made her feel at a disadvantage. Despite the financial support provided through the differential admission process, being far from her family and constantly thinking about her grandmother's illness made her first semester an emotional and academic challenge.

However, in the midst of this challenging time, Andrés Melenje, a classmate, appeared. He noticed her effort and determination. "You're very intelligent, Liseth," he told her one day. "You're just overwhelmed. You need to give yourself time to adjust." Andrés, one of the top students in the class, decided to support her in this process. Patiently, he explained the topics clearly, and they spent long hours studying together. Thanks to his support, Karen Liseth began improving her grades and, more importantly, regained confidence in herself.

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Her friendship with Andrés and Catalina Patiño—who later became her "Facu amiga," as she calls her—along with the unconditional support of her family, pushed her to persevere in making her deep aspiration a reality: becoming a professional! "During the second semester, I also had a lot to deal with, but I felt much more support from my classmates. Today, I have friends and small groups, so everything is easier," Karen Liseth recalls with relief. Although starting university was a lonely challenge, over time, she found support in her friends, who have stood by her in difficult moments, helping her understand subjects and sharing experiences. Their presence became a fundamental pillar that kept her moving forward. Passing the second semester was an enormous achievement—a true reason to celebrate! However, her joy was soon overshadowed by the loss of her grandmother during the vacation break, a blow that marked the beginning of this new phase with bittersweet emotions… an inevitable feeling.

That loss left her in "stop"—a phrase she often uses—and although she remains committed to her studies, the deep drive of having someone waiting at the finish line, someone to make proud, is no longer there. Her family is still present—her mother, her uncles—but her greatest motivation was her grandmother Elizabeth. Now, she is going through a process of acceptance that is not easy. However, her grandmother, with the clarity and strength that always defined her, had prepared her for this moment. "I know I have cancer. I know this disease will do one of two things: either it will take me, or I will survive, and you need to be ready for both possibilities," she would tell her. Then, with the certainty of unconditional love, she added, "If something happens, you will keep studying, you will succeed, and when you do, I will be proud of you—though I already am."

It was in this way that Karen Liseth understood that, even though her grandmother is no longer physically present, she will always be with her. Moreover, she realized that the person she truly needs to make proud is herself. In that sense, she knows that making it this far and overcoming each obstacle is reason enough to feel accomplished. But the challenge is not over—her next goal is to stay the course and successfully complete her degree. Even so, she acknowledges that much of her motivation comes from the desire to honor her grandmother’s memory and become a great oncologist.

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Unicauca has transformed her and opened her vision to new perspectives, which is why she addresses young people who, like her, dream of entering higher education:

"Try to reconsider, to think, to visualize yourselves. Don't just focus on a single moment, because there are many jobs that can earn you money. Instead, center yourselves and seek the true objective of your life. No matter how impossible your chosen career may seem, it is always possible. I never imagined myself studying Medicine, never in my life. And making your dream come true is so much more gratifying than sitting down doing something you don't love or risking your life on things that aren’t worth it. In the end, your family will always want you to have a good job—no one will push you to do bad things—but it’s better to do something meaningful for society, something that leaves a mark," Karen Liseth expressed with pride.

Today, Karen continues advancing on her path to becoming a doctor, proving that education can be a bridge to both personal and collective transformation. Her journey of perseverance, the strength of her family, and the solidarity of friendship have taught her that, despite obstacles, dreams materialize through perseverance and support. Her story is a testament to the power of education to change lives and open doors that once seemed unreachable.

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The university journey is not easy, especially for those who must leave their homes in search of a better future. But beyond personal effort, education has an impact that transcends the individual student, transforming their families and, in turn, society. As the director of the Center for Regionalization of this institution, Álvaro René Restrepo, explains: “Every time a student enters, we are removing a potential actor from war, illicit businesses, and informal economies; our rector always reminds us of this. But beyond that, we are promoting equity, social and economic development for individuals, their families, and their communities. If this commitment to education were multiplied, in the near future, we would see real transformation. Otherwise, if these gaps persist, social change will remain a distant promise.”

This is precisely why Dr. Aída Patricia González Nieva addresses the students who have joined this institution through differential admission processes: “To those who are already part of our university community, I want to tell you to continue until the end, to never give up on your life project, on your goal of earning a degree—but more than that, to train at the highest level so that you can return to your communities and transform your lives with new ideas, with knowledge, with study, and with education. It is not through other means. If we do not educate ourselves, if we do not train, if we do not transform ourselves, we cannot expect society to change. So, this is both a greeting and an invitation to persist. And to those who have not yet entered, keep insisting and do not lose hope. The opportunity is there, and it depends on you to seek it out and take advantage of it.”

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Finally, at the University of Cauca, we reaffirm our commitment to continuing to facilitate access to high-quality public higher education for more young people from Cauca, the region, and the country. We are deeply moved and filled with pride to share stories of perseverance like that of Karen Liseth—stories that remind us of the importance of warmly welcoming those who arrive from other territories in pursuit of a dream. “Foráneos”—a term that has been lovingly redefined—are classmates who leave their homes and loved ones behind to begin building another possible future here, in this nearly bicentennial institution.

The invitation is to kindness, to extending a helping hand when we can, to offering support without asking too many questions—because, many times, we are unaware of the battles faced by those who are far from home. This house, which is #PatrimonyOfAll, must be a safe refuge, a territory of peace where each person finds what they need to reach their full potential. And that is only possible through love and empathy.

Writing: Communication Management Center