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Molly O’Brien is pursuing medical training through Fort Range Community College with the goal of completing a Radiation Therapy program. As a single mother, Molly has endured family tragedy to rebuild the life she lost and provide a safe and stable life for her daughters. Now she’s exemplifying boot-strap perseverance by excelling in an education track with intensive work loads. “I sincerely look forward to a new start, putting my intelligence and energy into the noble cause of helping to fight cancer and the unfortunate inflicted with the disease.”

Carl Finkbeiner is currently maintaining a 4.0 GPA and working toward an Associate of Arts Degree in Business at Lawson State Community College. While he is returning to school after a nearly four-decade hiatus, Carl’s education has included the world beyond the classroom. He has been given the opportunity to share that education—even as it continues. “Having fallen from a secure place in life, I am filled with wonder as I am assisted and pointed back towards my dream...and I learned that it takes active participation to help others, and to encourage others to help me.”

Jere Coolidge used to feel that going to college seemed just out of reach. Now she is pursuing a degree in Occupational Therapy at Macomb Community College. As the primary care-giver to her special needs granddaughter, Jere has personal insight into the remedial benefits of her chosen career path. She emphasizes the importance of occupational therapy and explains, “occupational therapy helps people to see the possibilities in their life with respect to remediating or compensating for their disabilities. This degree means that someday soon I will be able to contribute to my family's financial stability while doing something I love, and the bonus is that I get to help people!”

Ritty Samreth is currently pursuing an Associates Degree in Mathematics and Business Management. His two-year tenure at Minneapolis Community & Technical College is preparing him for his ultimate career goal as an Actuary. To reach the highest designation, as a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, Ritty will have to spend a minimum of 2,000 hours preparing for ten important examinations over the course of ten years. Ritty says of his lofty ambitions, “I am setting my foundation. I feel that I am being equipped with the necessary tools for success, not only in my educational pursuits, but in life. I know that this experience will create opportunities.”

John Saylors is enrolled in the Ford Automotive Student Service Educational Training program at Lawson State Community College. John was an Emergency Medical Technician in the Army National Guard during operation Desert Storm/Fix and later pursued an opportunity as a professional truck driver. However, when the weakened economy took its toll on the trucking industry, John decided to reinvent himself as a Ford Master Technician. Instead of letting life get him down, he’s gone back to school and dedicated himself to a new career focused on warranty work, general maintenance, and specialized services. John’s return to school has brought about a new perspective. He says “the love, support and side work from my friends and family has value that I sometimes have trouble quantifying but no longer recognizing. Having to start over and learn a new trade has been difficult and humbling. In the long run it will be worth it and so am I.”

Vanessa Moreno is currently enrolled at Long Beach City College. After six years of military service with the US Army, Vanessa moved to California to start a new chapter in her life. With a strong “Do More, Be More” attitude, and a passionate interest in Business Administration, Vanessa has set her sights on a bright future. She says of her academic endeavors, ”I hope to open my eyes to lessons and opportunity I never knew existed. I hope to finish community college then transfer to a University and achieve my Bachelor degree. I want to be proud of what I have accomplished in this life. I feel with a degree I will achieve that personal goal.”

Kelsey is a Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Animal Biosciences major at the University of Delaware. This Winter, she plans to travel to Tanzania to participate in a wildlife conservation program focused on the “real, practical challenges involved in wildlife conservation.” While studying abroad, Kelsey will be staying with two indigenous hunter-gatherer societies – an arrangement that will require her to sustainably live from the land. Kelsey says of her upcoming travels, “I am so passionate about saving and restoring the natural wonders of our world. The mammalian species that grace the African savannas are unfortunately dwindling due to human invasion, and I believe it is the youth of society, regardless of where we come from, that are responsible to bring notice to such prominent issues and attempt to find solutions to these ever-present crises."

Jennifer is a comparative human development major at the University of Chicago. She recently enrolled in a study abroad program based in Pune, India. While overseas, she will study the Hindi language, as well as the culture and economics of India. With plans to enroll in the Peace Corps after graduation and then attend medical school, Jennifer is looking forward to a study abroad experience that will take her out of her comfort zone. She says of her decision to go to Pune, "If I am going to spend this much energy, effort, and time in preparation I want to visit a world that is entirely new and exciting."

Chansopava Srey is the first person in her family to attend college and has been pleased with her experiences at Long Beach City College thus far. Chansopava plans to study psychology and eventually transfer into California State University of Long Beach to pursue her bachelor's degree and eventually, a doctorate for psychology. She says of her academic pursuits, "Above all, I want to...become a guidance for another person through their life problems, whether they are mental, physical, or emotional problems."

Sadaf Hasan plans to study abroad at the American University in Beirut, Lebanon where she will be taking classes in Arabic, international relations, and political theory. As a political science and international affairs major, this program meets all of her needs as a student. On her trip, Sadaf also hopes to participate in a part-time internship or volunteer position that will enable her to work with displaced Palestinians. This will be the subject of her senior project thesis, as well as work she hopes will carry over to her post-collegiate life. She says of the project, "I would like to further explore refugee rights after I graduate and see Arabic fluency as a necessary skill...I hope to pursue a career in public policy or law...and to advance policies that work towards championing the ideals of asylum law."

Cliffette Longford currently attends Shelton State Community College. She has worked as a personal care aid for 7 years and is pursuing a career in nursing. Cliffette hopes to teach her two children that they can do anything they set their mind to. She also said of her career path, "I know that by becoming a nurse I will be able to help so many people."

Meghan Von Tersch plans to study abroad in Kolkata, India for the service-learning program. Her study abroad program will allow her to volunteer 25 hours a week at the Mother Theresa Rehabilitation Center, a home for abandoned children. It was important to Meghan to find a program that focused on direct interaction with the people of India, instead of merely sight seeing and attending classes with only American students. She says of the program, "I chose this program because it will teach me to be selfless, it will force me to break out of my own boring cultural bubble, and it will test everything about myself."

Destiny Hellman is the first person in her family to attend college and has been thrilled with her experiences at Sinclair Community College thus far. She currently has plans to graduate in 2011 with a degree in aviation technology. Destiny says of her major choice, "I have always had a strong passion for space and aviation...I am getting myself prepared for a career that I have only dreamed of attaining."

In her quest to obtain a master's in health sciences from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Lindsay will be interning with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Sierra Leone. She will be working closely with the health department of CRS on malaria prevention and control, HIV/AIDS prevention, maternal and child health, and community management of infant malnutrition. She says of the program, "This is an excellent opportunity to help, learn, and grow, and also to make connections with individuals and organizations that might lead to a career after graduation." While in her master's program, her aim has been to effectively and responsibly help people in developing nations improve their public health. Her journey to Sierra Leone will be the culmination of this work.

Katie Pollock graduated from high school in 2009 and promptly enrolled in Salt Lake Community College. Thus far, she has loved the experience of attending SLCC, from the small class sizes to the accessible campus and teachers. Recently, Katie finished the certified nursing assistant program the school offers. She hopes to continue on this path and become a psychiatric nurse, a field which will allow her to work with the mentally ill.

Harrison O'Connor will be studying in the Sacred Valley in the Andes of Peru during the spring of 2010. While there, Harrison hopes to address the global food crisis currently plaguing much of the country through working with the non-profit organization Campesino a Campesino. Campesino a Campesino promotes environmentally sustainable agriculture principles and teaches networking between farmers to better pool resources and knowledge. Harrison would also like to integrate himself into the culture and society as much as possible. While attending Evergreen State College, Harrison has been studying subjects concerning globalization and its effects on different communities and states: "This comprehensive and focused learning has culminated in my trip abroad and I am fully prepared and ready."