Brian Bernal Finds Purpose Through Education and Service

Brian is a father, mentor and full-time student who proves it’s never too late to change direction and pursue a more meaningful future.

Born and raised in Idaho, Brian graduated from high school in 1993. College wasn’t immediately in the cards. Instead, he went straight to work, helping support his parents after his father was injured. “It was just what needed to be done,” he says. “I wanted to make sure they were taken care of.”

In 1998, he relocated to Colorado, where he met his wife. The couple began building their family through foster care and adoption, welcoming three of Brian’s nephews and a young girl who would become their daughter in 2015.

Over the years, he worked physically demanding jobs, from grain elevators to school maintenance and printing presses. Brian later tried the IT industry, but it didn’t align with his passions. “I did not like the field as much as I thought I would,” he confessed. Meanwhile, his body began to feel the toll of decades of labor. “After all these years of working hard labor jobs, it kind of caught up to me,” Brian admitted. “That’s when I decided it was time to shift. Aims seemed like the perfect fit and felt like a place I could start over.”

Brian is pursuing a Liberal Arts Associate Degree with an emphasis in Psychology. He plans to transfer to the University of Northern Colorado to earn a bachelor's degree and study Human Services, with sights set on a future master’s degree. “I want to do something I enjoy, and helping others has always been a big part of my life,” he says. Brian’s orientation toward service is rooted in his life experiences, personal challenges and positive interactions with support systems. 

Even with that mission on his mind, Brian faced uncertainty about returning to school. “Being out of school for so many years, I had a lot of self-doubt, a lot of impostor syndrome. Why am I even here? I’m too old to be here.” But those notions didn’t last long. In his first semester at Aims, Brian earned a 4.0 GPA, an accomplishment that boosted his confidence and validated his decision to start over.

“I’m proud that I was able to get good grades and get on campus and meet people. Now, it feels like I’m part of something.”

That academic momentum has continued. Even when faced with a heavy course load, including psychology, sociology, history and biology, Brian made the tough but mature decision to withdraw from one class to protect his performance in the others. “I don’t want just barely to make it. I want to do well,” he said. His grades began improving immediately afterward, showing that he’s not just committed to completion; Brian’s dedicated to excellence.

One of the most significant scholastic challenges Brian has overcome is writing. His English classes initially felt daunting, but ultimately became fundamental to his growth. “My English classes were tough, but after getting through them, I found that I really liked them.”

He learned to navigate MLA and Chicago style formatting, and now uses those skills across disciplines. Writing and research are now strengths that support his work in psychology and social science courses. “It’s been beneficial. I already use those skills in my other classes.”

Brian found some direction on his academic journey through the Aims2UNC transition program. Aims2UNC offers a clear, supported, and cost-effective pathway from Aims to the University of Northern Colorado, combining dual-campus engagement, expert advising, financial aid and academic clarity to streamline students’ journey to a bachelor’s degree.

He also worked as an Aims2UNC peer mentor in the Transition Center, supporting other students and helping them navigate college life. “Sometimes I help students look at their syllabus and schedule. Other times, it’s showing them where tutoring is or how to access services like Arty’s Pantry,” he said. Aims2UNC has been both a launching pad for his future and a place where he’s already making a meaningful impact.“I’ve found that my experience as an older student allows me to guide younger students,” Brian says. “Being that person has been rewarding.”

While he moved on to another student leadership position, Brian is still an Aims2UNC participant and actively involved in the program’s success. “I do stop by the office to keep in touch and to allow myself to be available to the other mentors,” he said. 

Growing Through Programs and Leadership

Brian has fully embraced his return to school by getting involved with Student Life, groups, clubs and other activities. 

For the 2025-2026 school year, Brian is the Vice President for Academic Affairs of the Student Government Association (SGA). In this role, he is responsible for advocating for Aims students and enhancing student experience in a positive way. “I build relationships between students and staff members and the Board of Trustees.”

While Brian is still leaning into this role, he looks forward to the challenge. “I want to reach out to students at tabling events to get to know what students' wants and needs are,” he said. “I want to create a space for students to have a voice with their issues to help both students and staff communicate in a way to create positive changes across the campus.” 

He also serves as President of the Aims chapter of LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens), where he helps organize cultural events and student engagement activities. Brian first learned about LULAC while walking through campus and spotting a tabling event. He stopped by to learn more and quickly found himself attending a meeting. That simple interaction became a turning point: “I just wanted to see how they ran their stuff and I got a little more involved than I intended to.”

Brian organized many LULAC outreach events to get students more involved with the organization and their cultural roots. This included a Día de los Muertos remembrance table, where students could honor loved ones by leaving photos and messages. LULAC has become a key part of Brian’s college experience. It connects him with his community, reinforces his leadership skills and aligns with his long-term vision of helping others succeed. “It’s been a really good experience. It just feels like a natural fit for who I am and what I want to do.”

In addition to his roles with LULAC and SGA, Brian is actively involved in TRIO Student Support Services, the National Society of Leadership and Success, Phi Theta Kappa and The MOSAIC Seeds Leadership program.

Looking Ahead With Determination

As the next academic year is nearly upon us, Brian is primed for the challenges it brings and the impact he can make. “I’m excited about this next school year and am ready to take on all that will come my way.”

Brian is set to graduate from Aims in Spring 2026 and transfer to the University of Northern Colorado. While that next step is planned, Brian’s full story is yet to be written. “My goals are still in the works,” he admits. 

“I want to help others. I can be a voice and support for anyone that I come into contact with. My passion, to help others, guide them to be able to navigate any obstacle and succeed. Helping others will make my hard work feel complete.”

Brian’s academic journey at Aims is not only a personal success story; it’s a launchpad for a career in service.