Montgomery College announces the launch of a new season of “Eleva Tu Futuro,” an award-winning podcast initiative that showcases the stories of individuals who have overcome significant challenges, elevating their lives through Montgomery College. This season focuses on Latinos in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
This new season kicks off with the extraordinary journey of Montgomery College alumna and bioengineer, Viviana Bentley.
Bentley’s story serves as a beacon for the new season. A Colombian immigrant who arrived in the U.S. with a dream but limited English, Bentley navigated the complexities of the American higher education system, starting at Montgomery College. It was at MC that faculty connections and hands-on research led her to a prestigious internship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Building on that strong foundation, she later secured a second highly competitive internship at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) while completing her studies at the University of Maryland.
“Montgomery College was the springboard that started everything,” said Bentley, now a published scientific co-author preparing for her next chapter serving as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force as a Bio-Environmental Engineer.
“You have to be ‘terca’ (stubborn) in pursuit of your dreams,” she tells listeners.
Eleva Tu Futuro features interviews with immigrants, children of immigrants and members of the Latino community who have elevated their futures through education, entrepreneurship and community engagement. By highlighting these stories of triumph and resilience, the podcast aims to illuminate the profound impact Montgomery College has on individuals, families and the local community. Eleva Tu Futuro was recognized with a Gold Medallion in Audio by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, District 1 in 2025.
The production of this series directly aligns with Montgomery College’s status as a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), the first college in Maryland to receive this designation.
