My Undergrad Career <3
As I prepared to graduate high school, I was not quite sure where I was headed. After several months of deliberation, I felt led to study Communication but did not know what school I was going to attend.
I loved the idea of attending DePaul University; the aesthetic of the college, city life, and its captivating color palette (a basic, yet lovely blue) really sparked my interest. I applied and got accepted and offered a generous scholarship, still, I had several thousands of dollars to pay.
My college education was in my hands and taking out student loans did not appeal to me. I trusted that God would open the necessary doors and opportunities for me to go to college on a full ride. Ultimately, taking out a loan did not align with my desire and belief.
I had the desire to leave home and have the "full college experience", but it became clear with time that I would not be leaving home just yet.
Pretty soon after coming to this realization I applied to my local community college and came to terms with attending that school; still, I had to find out where the money resided. I scouted their website for scholarships and came across their Scholars Program that guaranteed a full-tuition scholarship. At that point, I went full-throttle and applied for the program.
Ya girl got accepted :)
While at the College of Lake County, I did not have to want anything. God truly provided and I lived in absolute abundance overall! My tuition and textbooks were fully covered. Through a program there I was given a monthly stipend for Cafe food, a free laptop, and access to a network of mentors and professors who genuinely wanted to see me succeed. I was also a student worker in the Public Relations and Marketing Office and was featured in the college's summer campaign. After months of randomly speaking it into existence, I studied abroad in Spain and France alongside my lovely mentor; we had a time!
I was a member of Sister 2 Sister, the public relations officer for the Black Student Union, a member of the International Club, and a student speaker. I graduated with High Honors in the Spring of 2020.
My time there was very fruitful.
Once it was time to transfer, I was a tad nervous, again because I was looking for another full-tuition scholarship. Aside from guaranteed acceptance partnerships that CLC had with other colleges, as a member of the Scholars program, there were some colleges that offered full-rides.
I tightened up and started researching again. I had previously heard of Lake Forest College in a not-so-good way; during my junior year of high school I was apart of a program called ASCEND, and part of this program was the promotion of college readiness and academic success. During one of our Saturday sessions, a student from Lake Forest College came and literally told us, "whatever you do, do not come here" as she began to share the times she experienced overt racism on campus and how passive campus administration was in handling it.
Who know that years later I'd end up there...
*to be clear though, I had completely forgotten about her warnings until it was time for me to graduate with my B.A.
I guess none of that matters since that was where God wanted me to end up anyway.
For me, it came down to attending either LFC or Carthage College. After about 2 minutes at Carthage, I realized it was not the place for me so I locked in and went for the scholarship to LFC. I certainly felt discouraged during that process; I felt so overwhelmed and doubtful that I would not get it, but I faithed it 'til I made it and PUSHED even with tears in my eyes and fear in my heart.
I GOT IT! Got the full-ride and once again, God had proven to me that He would always make a way if I would just trust Him and let Him in.
During my time at LFC I worked as a research assistant, was Vice President of the United Black Association, a member of the Dance Team, transfer student panelist, and I made the Dean's List each semester.
I graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors in the Spring of 2022.
