As a senior at Shiocton High School, I was not sure I wanted to attend college.  However, as valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA I was expected to further my education.  I chose to attend Ripon College because I was very impressed with the support offered by the staff and faculty and the “small” town feeling.  I soon discovered that being a college freshman was harder than I had imagined.  New friends, a new community, sharing a room with someone with very different values, and homesickness was a lot to handle!  I found support from Ripon’s SSS Program.  As a low-income, first generation student, I was an active member of the SSS Program.  I met several times a month with the staff (Dan and Jessica) to discuss the challenges I was facing.  I shed several tears and even seriously thought about dropping out of college.  However, Dan and Jessica’s belief in me never waivered.  They knew I could succeed in college if only I found my niche and learned to believe in myself. 

One of several benefits of being involved in SSS my freshman year is that I had a peer contact – an upperclassman that served as a mentor and offered support and resources along the way.  I soon discovered that I no longer wanted to be the mentee; I wanted to be the mentor!  Interviews were held the end of my freshman year and I was thrilled when I was offered the opportunity to become a peer contact starting my sophomore year.  I had been through hard times and wanted to help students in similar situations!  I thrived as a peer contact and continued the position through graduation.  Little by little, I was discovering that my long term career goals included mentoring young people and encouraging them to continue to pursue their education and their own dreams and goals.  As a result, junior and senior year, I also tutored numerous students in several different classes.  This experience made me realize that the one on one aspect is what I really enjoyed!

In addition to SSS assisting me in both personal and professional endeavors, they also helped me secure Supplemental Grant Aid, which was an important factor in my ability to continue my education. In addition, SSS introduced me to research opportunities available through the McNair Program, which proved to be life changing!  The McNair Program is intended to introduce low income, first generation, or minority students to graduate school with the hope that they will then attend and graduate from a grad program.   

I attended the McNair Program at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, which allowed me to explore my career interests, while conducting research within the Sociology Department at a graduate school level, all expenses paid! I had the freedom to create my own research project based on my own personal interests and had the opportunity to work closely with a professor, which created a personal learning environment.

The McNair Research Program opened my eyes to possibilities I didn't even realize existed.  Prior to McNair, I hadn’t even considered attending graduate school.  How could I afford it?  However, after my McNair experience, graduate school became my immediate educational goal. As a McNair scholar, I was eligible for graduate application
waivers and for scholarships to attend graduate school.  I was honored to receive a  scholarship worth approximately $30,000 to attend graduate school at the University of Minnesota, where I graduated with a M.A. degree in Counseling and Student Personnel in May 07.    

I am currently employed at St. Norbert College as the Assistant Director of Internships in the Career Services Office, where I have been able to continue my dream of mentoring students and helping them to realize and achieve their own educational and career goals.