IF NOT TODAY; WHEN?

Growing up in an area where the average African American person generally does not graduate from college made my ambition to do just the opposite substantially greater. I became a young parent at the age of 18 and ultimately dropped out of high school; by society’s standards, I was headed for a life which many young minorities find themselves in (dependent on the government & uneducated). I did not know how I would achieve it, but I knew I would not be a failure by anyone’s standards. At the age of 23, I realized I wanted more for my life and decided to move out of the Bronx, New York to Pennsylvania. Moving to Pennsylvania was a huge move for a relatively young woman. However, I trusted that was the first step I needed to make in order to achieve my future goals. Over the next fourteen years, I would obtain employment with several non for profit agencies working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities(IDD), working in a large well known hospitals behavioral health unit for 5 years, and also working with individuals with traumatic brain injuries(TMI) for 3 years, all while attending school. Through hard work and dedication, I was able to achieve some of my educational goals as well as be a positive role model to my daughter-where achieving your academic dreams are concerned. I am a first generation college graduate and I hope future generations will follow in my footsteps. This life experience has shown me that no matter how a person’s story may begin, there is always a way to change the ending. Working with diverse population has also taught me to have patience and understanding to everyone’s unique situation/s. I am a living testimony to “if only you believe; you can and will achieve”. This type of mentality is what is needed in an environment which can often be the not so positive at times for students who are initially entering into college.