Tiffany Parasca: From Glendale Community College to ASU

When Tiffany Parasca began her college journey, she knew she wanted to take an intentional, strategic path. As a high school senior, she enrolled in dual-credit courses at Glendale Community College (GCC) — earning nearly 45 credit hours before she even received her diploma.

“It was a cost-effective way to get ahead and stay mindful of the financial realities of higher education,” Tiffany said. “GCC became the stepping stone I needed to reach my goals.”

Tiffany transferred to Arizona State University through MyPath2ASU®, graduating in Fall 2024 with a degree in Public Service and Public Policy (Law and Policy) from the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

A Story Rooted in Legacy

Tiffany’s motivation to pursue higher education is deeply personal. Her late parents were raised in Romania during a time of limited personal and educational freedom, and they passed away when she was just four years old.

“They never had the chance to choose their own careers,” she said. “As a first-generation American, I’ve felt called to make the most of the opportunities they didn’t have.”

Her academic path began with psychology, then shifted to global management and law before she ultimately found her purpose in public policy.

“I want to serve my community through politics. Even though it’s challenging, I know this is the work I’m meant to do.”

Turning Passion into Action

During her time at GCC, Tiffany volunteered with Packages from Home, an organization that sends care packages to active-duty military members. The experience took on deeper meaning when she began working at a law firm focused on veteran appeals.

“Knowing the challenges veterans face gave that work even more purpose,” she said.

At ASU, Tiffany found opportunities to grow personally and professionally. She completed internships with The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) and Congress, both of which stemmed from connections she made through ASU’s career fairs.

How MyPath2ASU® Helped

“MyPath2ASU made transferring from GCC to ASU smooth and straightforward,” she said. “The step-by-step process helped eliminate confusion and gave me the confidence to keep moving forward.”

Tiffany also valued ASU’s vibrant learning environment, where thoughtful debate and collaboration were part of daily life.

“Even when we disagreed, the ability to have constructive conversations with classmates was so rewarding,” she said. “That sense of shared purpose brought us together.”

Looking Ahead

Tiffany plans to pursue a master’s in public administration or gain experience working in state or local government. Long term, she hopes to become a lobbyist and eventually start her own firm that supports nonprofits and fosters meaningful connections between faith and public policy.

She also continues to explore her personal interests through ASU — combining her love of Russian literature and her heritage by taking Romanian as a minor through an individualized course led by Dr. Meirosu.