"At Lincoln Land Community College, I quickly realized I was receiving a top-tier educational experience, with professors who were just as knowledgeable and impactful as those at four-year institutions."

Tell us about your background and about your life growing up.
My father served in the military, so we moved frequently throughout my childhood, living in places such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Anaheim, Denver, Yuma, Arizona, and eventually settling in Springfield, Illinois, when he retired. As a result, I attended over a dozen different schools before graduating from high school. Constantly moving taught me adaptability and resilience, but it also meant I was always adjusting to new environments and communities.

What community college did you attend and why?
I attended Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) primarily because it was local and the most affordable option for me at the time. Financially, my family could not afford tuition at a four-year university, and LLCC offered a more accessible path for me. When I first enrolled in the early 2000s, there was a stigma attached to community college, with the perception that it was somehow 'lesser' than attending a four-year institution. However, I never felt that way at LLCC. I was working a full-time job and took night classes until I was able to complete my associate’s degree. Though it took me several years, as I could only take one or two classes per semester, the sense of accomplishment and pride I felt upon graduating was incredibly rewarding. 

Who were some individuals that helped shape your success during this time, and how did they do it?

At Lincoln Land Community College, I quickly realized I was receiving a top-tier educational experience, with professors who were just as knowledgeable and impactful as those at four-year institutions. My English professors, in particular, played a significant role in shaping my success. Initially, I thought my journey would end with an associate’s degree, but their encouragement pushed me to aim higher. Their belief in my potential inspired me to continue my education, leading me to apply to the University of Illinois Springfield, where I went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in English and am nearing completion of a master’s degree in political science.

How has attending a community college influenced your outlook on education and life?

Attending community college deeply influenced my outlook on both education and life. I remember wishing that Lincoln Land Community College was a four-year college because of the strong sense of belonging I felt there. It wasn’t just about affordability or convenience; it was the community and the support I received from faculty and fellow students that made my experience meaningful. In fact, it showed me that access to postsecondary education should be a basic human right.

How do you view community colleges as being institutions that provide equitable opportunities for students who are pursuing a postsecondary education?

Community colleges offer a way for students to achieve upward mobility whether it is through associate’s degrees, certificates in the trades, or community education. They provide a space where people can bring their whole selves. There is this beautiful weave of students fresh out of high school, nontraditional adult students, parents, and retired people who still find it enjoyable to learn. Community colleges bring us all together in a space that feels like it was made for us to thrive.

In addition, small class sizes helped me form better relationships with my professors, which was integral in advancing to a four-year program in terms of letters of recommendation and assistance with my personal statement.

How did your learning and overall experiences at a community college lead to your further course of study and current career?

My experience at Lincoln Land Community College played a pivotal role in shaping my confidence and readiness for further academic pursuits, particularly at the University of Illinois Springfield. The supportive environment at LLCC was crucial in my journey, building the foundation for me to successfully pursue my bachelor’s degree in English and continue my education in political science at UIS. Once I was at UIS, I was able to intern at the Illinois Innocence Project, where I worked my way up to program director before moving to the Education Justice Project at Illinois. I am now able to follow my passion of helping others find their own pathways to higher education. 

The Education Justice Project has done so many things to positively impact higher education. What is happening right now at EJP that you would like to share?

The Education Justice Project is a pillar of higher education in prison. We want to expand the support that we provide on the inside to the outside. I am currently the program manager of EJP’s newest initiative, Prison-to-Gown Pathway (PGP), which supports justice-impacted students as they navigate postsecondary education from admissions to graduation. This student population faces unique challenges and many barriers that may prevent them from completing a degree. PGP will offer resources both on and off campus to ensure these students receive comprehensive support tailored to their needs. By providing targeted resources, we hope to enhance retention rates and improve educational outcomes for justice-impacted individuals, ultimately contributing to a more equitable higher education landscape.

Tell us something fun about yourself.

Something fun about me is my passion for gardening and the embarrassing amount of houseplants I have – 82! I should have taken the Horticulture class at LLCC!