Your Turn to Learn

FOUR - When I arrived at Meredith I was a single parent working full time and attending classes full time. In the time since then, I have remarried, had two more little ones, changed my major twice, taken two years off to have my little ones, survived a year deployment when my husband was in Iraq, while helping his 80-member unit’s family members (and multiple births). I have learned how to write papers with a sick child in my lap, and how to juggle classes and doctor’s appointment – on top of daily life stuff like REGULAR doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, vet visits, and school functions for my 1st grader. Now, I will have to unlearn these things and try to figure out how to sit still and watch a 30-minute television show or actually read a book for FUN, what a novel idea – pardon the pun. So, life will once again change, and a new learning curve will begin – how to NOT be a full time mom-nurse, accountant, chauffeur, and chef.

FIVE - A 23+ student has contributed to social work education by acting as a simulated social work client in Dr Kenyon’s class. I see Academy Award potential! She works in the Hispanic community.

SIX - Internship with ACLU as Youth Outreach Coordinator
Volunteer Student Assistant at Longview School with at- risk youth
Single working full-time while obtaining degree
Plans after graduation: Working as a community support specialist for Triumph LLC (local community support organization)
Applying to Sarah Lawrence College and UNC-G with the aspiration to become a candidate for a MS in Women’s Studies
My ultimate goal is to start my own non-profit organization to empower minority women

SEVEN - A 23+ student carried out an independent study research project with Dr Kenyon last year looking at the knowledge level of Meredith College student regarding HIV and AIDS. She then presented her results at the Statewide Undergraduate Research Conference here in Raleigh. She is completing her field placement with Cornerstone Services, a Wake County agency that provides day services to homeless adults. She is doing a stellar job.

EIGHT - I do believe that Meredith has been a wonderful experience for me. I have made many new friends that I hope will be a part of my life for a long time to come. There were many days where I just wanted to quit I was tired, stressed, and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I came to Meredith under the 23+ program and I had no idea how hard this new journey was going to be. During my 5-years at Meredith I had my own life going on I am a single mother of a son and I acquired legal custody of my niece and nephews during my time at Meredith. All of this posed many challenges for me at Meredith, but because of all the new found friends and the caring hearts of several of my professors I knew I was not alone.

NINE - She married young and now has three teenage children. She is graduating in Graphic Design but has a very clear interest in photography. She is not sure which direction to pursue. She is one of the few students in the Art Department who likes to work ahead of deadlines! Her life is too busy to ever get behind, so she tries to keep ahead. She giggles a lot and has a very positive outlook on life in spite of constant stresses of being a single parent and the recent decent death of her father. She has just completed an internship at SAS, and it is possible she may obtain full-time employment there. She has met her goal of getting a degree from Meredith College, and no one has worked harder to get it.

TEN - I got married and had two beautiful boys. In addition, I maintained my job as flight attendant flying on the weekends.