Ranked one of the most diverse community colleges in the United States by The Chronicle of Higher Education in recent years,  Montgomery College’s diverse student body is one of its most valuable resources. As a professor in the English Language for Academic Purposes (ELAP) program, I have the privilege of guiding students in the process of language acquisition, so they can achieve their academic and career goals. In my nearly two decades of teaching at MC,  I have read thousands of essays by students and have had the chance to learn their stories of resilience and persistence. I have read and listened to accounts by students who have experienced, first-hand, some of the most challenging situations imaginable: violence, war, displacement, political upheaval, the effects of global climate change, natural disasters, and health crises in places such as Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Venezuela. Students from these countries and others have borne witness to some of the most historically significant events of our time, and they have come to Montgomery County, Maryland to rebuild their lives. Despite their many challenges, most of our students maintain their optimism, drive, creativity, and sense of humor. They reconstruct their lives here, and with skills that they gain at MC, go on to fulfilling careers in the health sciences, information technology, business, and other fields. They raise families, make a living, and contribute to their communities in countless ways. Many times, as I’ve read student essays or listened to presentations, I’ve thought, “If only more people knew these stories…” This project has allowed me to share some of these stories of resilience, strength, and hope with a larger audience.