“Feeling like I'm a part of something or I'm being a part of something special.”
— Precious
“You can be successful even if life throws you a curve ball.”
I got my Bachelor's of Arts in Communications and I graduated in 2017. I took some classes as a student-at-large first before I applied to the Master's of Science in Education and Counseling program. I'm getting my degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I also have my Trauma-Informed Counseling Certificate that I received last year.
The CHANCE program brought me to DeKalb. That program allowed me to join NIU in a non-traditional way. And that was great. So that's the only reason I never applied to any other universities because I just knew I wasn't going to get in elsewhere. But this program is here, so I'm a CHANCE a student.
I think the opportunities that I've had is what makes me feel like I'm a true Husky. When I first applied to college, I had a 2.2 GPA. Then, I started taking classes and I got a 4.0 and they were like, “you know, we opened our doors to you, we know that you can do the work.”
It took my mentor Mr. Smith and other people in the counseling department welcoming me and telling me that there is opportunity here.
I think that's important, to have opportunity and mentorship.
I think more mentorship, more opportunities for minorities, will ensure a community of belonging that can be created and sustained here.
