In 2001, Velázquez became the first person in her family to graduate college. She attended Columbia College Chicago, where she earned a bachelor's degree in marketing. She returned to her alma mater in November 2017 to address prospective students during an open house. "I gave a long speech about where I came from and what brought me to Columbia and how it added value to my life and where I am today. So I was very moved by being able to share that story and to share it there at Columbia, where it started for me," Velázquez told the Chicago Tribute that year.