Two generations, one classroom

When Alexandra Gooding, AAS ’25, assists first-year students in the surgical technician program’s simulation lab, she sees one extra familiar face: her mother’s, Erica Cabrera, AAS ’26. 

Gooding was powering through her first year in the two-year program when her passion inspired Cabrera, who had been considering a career change. 

Cabrera previously worked as an executive assistant at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire helping to coordinate events like their wine and beer festivals. 

“It was one of those feast or famine situations: I was either way too busy or bored to death,” Cabrera says. “I just felt mentally and physically stunted.” 

A bachelor’s degree in physical anthropology and a long-standing interest in physical and mental health made SJU’s surgical technology certificate program a natural next step for Cabrera. 

“Once I decided it was time to go back to school, there was no other choice besides St. Joe’s,” Cabrera says. 

After taking 30 years off from classes, Cabrera has had to adjust back into student life. 

“I had something to prove to myself,” she explains. “I’ve had goals for myself, and I’m pretty much meeting them, which is really mentally energizing.” 

Gooding watched, unsurprised but impressed, as her mom found her footing throughout her first year. 

“It’s just been this process of her learning that she indeed will be totally fine and can handle whatever comes her way,” Gooding says.

The friendly competition between the pair pushes them both to be better students, Cabrera says, and Gooding doesn’t shy away from tough love when it comes to advising her mom — even in front of their classmates. 

“There was a time when she made a tiny error in a simulation lab that would have been a no-no in a clinical setting, and I said that in front of the class,” Gooding remembers. “But it was going to make her better. That’s the goal: to make her the best she can be.” 

Howard Coverdale, a clinical instructor in the surgical technology program, teaches Cabrera’s simulation labs in which Gooding assists. 

“There’s a typical mother-daughter relationship, and you can tell they’re very close, but there’s also a peer-to-peer collegial relationship,” he says. “Many times, student success comes from the support system they have at home, and this support system is obviously very present. It goes both ways.” 

In June, Gooding will begin a two-year contract position in the orthopedic department at Lancaster General Health, a longtime partner of the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences, now Saint Joseph’s University. 

“I really like orthopedics because it’s an aggressive sport,” Gooding says. “You’re working with big instruments: drills and saws and screws. I just really enjoy it.” 

Cabrera, meanwhile, will spend another year in the program completing her clinical rotations, exploring possible specialties including labor and delivery. She will also serve as the class representative for her cohort, a position she was recently elected to by her classmates. 

“I think it’s just a familial trait that they want to give back,” Coverdale says. “They both have a strong sense of community and want to make the program better.”