Celebrating 20 Years of Breakthrough: Spotlight on Karen Alderete Herrera

As Breakthrough Twin Cities celebrates 20 years of empowering students, we’re reflecting on the incredible journeys of our alumni.

Today, we highlight Karen Alderete Herrera, a proud 2013 Breakthrough student alum who continues to embody the values of perseverance, learning, and community.

Discovering Breakthrough

Karen’s journey with Breakthrough began with her love for learning. “I loved being in school, so when I first heard about a program that was offered during the summer, I naturally gravitated towards applying for it.”

Growing up in a low-income neighborhood, she saw Breakthrough as an opportunity to grow academically and personally. What she found was more than just a summer program. BTC was a community that cheered her on at every step. “All my teachers always greeted us with a smile and were never short on being our biggest cheerleaders.” She was able to learn new material in a safe, inclusive environment, while also exploring her creative side!

Among her fondest memories were the vibrant, high-energy activities that brought students together.  “My favorite memory had to be every time we came together as a whole group and watched the plays the teachers performed,” she shared. Another highlight was the friendly college-themed competitions where her group cheered so loudly, they even managed to blow out the microphone on the recording camera! One particularly unforgettable moment was a chemistry-based remix of Pocket Full of Sunshine performed at the end of the summer session. “We were EPIC!” Karen recalls.

Karen credits many teachers and mentors for shaping her experience, but one who left a lasting impact was Daniel, her choir teacher. “He never told me I could not sing—though that’s a fact—but instead encouraged me to find my voice,” she said. This encouragement to step outside her comfort zone and embrace new challenges has stayed with her ever since. 

A Journey into Pharmacy

Karen’s experience at Breakthrough ignited a passion for learning that carried her through college and beyond. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Catherine University, where she graduated with honors. She was also selected for a prestigious summer research program at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, leading to published work and a national conference presentation.

Inspired by this experience, she pursued a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Minnesota, graduating with honors in 2023. Today, she is a licensed pharmacist in two states, specializing in Medication Therapy Management (MTM), where she helps patients manage their medications through one-on-one clinical care. “BTC was more than just a summer program; it was the start of my academic journey, career path, and lifelong learning process.”