Receiving the support she needs to continue her education has filled her with immense gratitude. As a full-time student, full-time employee, and mother of two young children, she understands more than most what it means to persevere.
“I am the proud mother of a two-year-old boy and a three-month-old girl,” she shares. “Balancing school, work, and raising my children has been one of the greatest challenges of my life, but it is also why I chose to pursue my degree to build a better future for my family.”
Her journey to higher education has not been linear. She began college in 2020 at UW-Whitewater after years of preparation through TRIO Upward Bound and the Business Emerging Leaders program at UW-Madison. However, the pandemic changed everything. Isolated in a dorm room and attending classes virtually, she found the experience far from the collaborative, engaging environment she had envisioned. She made the difficult decision to withdraw, but she never let go of her long-term goals.
In the years that followed, she gained a wide range of professional experiences, including working in the service industry, coaching gymnastics, serving as a CNA in behavioral health, and nannying for a household of seven children.
A turning point came after the birth of her first child, when she survived life-threatening complications that reshaped her perspective.
“That experience made me realize how important it was to return to school and build a career I truly care about,” she says. “I knew I needed to finish what I started.”
Since returning to her studies, she has faced significant financial and personal challenges. In the past, even ordering textbooks on time was uncertain, often causing her to fall behind in coursework. Navigating financial aid brings ongoing concern about future debt, and past financial setbacks have made it difficult to secure reliable transportation. Access to affordable childcare remains an additional challenge.
Despite these obstacles, she continues moving forward with resilience and determination. Scholarship support has been transformative, easing the pressure of constant financial trade-offs and allowing her to focus more fully on her education.
“I am so thankful for the generous individuals in this community who believe in students like me,” she says. “Their support makes it possible for me to keep going.”
Through her internship with the Madison College Foundation, she gained a new perspective on that support. Working behind the scenes, she saw firsthand the time, care, and dedication required to create opportunities for students.
“This experience has made me even more grateful,” she reflects. “It has shown me the real impact that donors and staff have on students’ lives.”
That experience has also shaped her future aspirations. Alongside her goal of building a stable, rewarding career in marketing, she is inspired to give back and help others succeed.
“This internship strengthened my passion for helping others,” she says. “It has inspired me to find ways to support and uplift my community in the future.”
Her story is a powerful reminder of what is possible when determination meets opportunity and of the life-changing impact of community support.
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