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Education
My Unique College Journey
My path through college was anything but traditional, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I began earning college credits through dual enrollment at City Colleges of Chicago in early 2020. This introduced me to higher education early. After graduating high school, I started at Illinois State University, then transferred back to City Colleges to refocus, rebuild, and strengthen my academic foundation.
Today, I am a Finance major at the University of Illinois - Chicago, graduating in December 2026. Along the way, I’ve balanced full-time coursework with multiple part-time jobs, from a specialist/certified trainer in the restaurant industry to independent freelance gigs, while participating in student organizations: NABA, BELA, CHANCE, and BSIB. These experiences shaped me into someone resourceful, adaptable, and ready to take initiative even when the path isn’t clear.
Every challenge I face and every obstacle I encounter has sharpened my work ethnic and strengthened my drive to succeed. I see my college journey as proof that persistence pays off and success is earned.
Education Timeline
2020
Enrolled in a dual enrollment course at City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) after completing my sophomore year at Lindblom. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the class was held virtually.
2022 - 2023
Graduated from Lindblom in 2022, and enrolled in Illinois State University (ISU) for my freshman year. I had to pay for my tuition using student loans and working multiple jobs. The sudden environmental and obligation shift caused me to struggle during my first semester. At the start of my second semester, I sought resources throughout the university and showed huge improvements.
2023 - 2024
Transferred from ISU to CCC due to financial constraints and to focus on my mental health. During my sophomore year at the CCC, my academic performance improved to the point that I was awarded the Dean's List in my first semester.
2024 - 2026
Transferred from CCC to the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) in 2024 as a Junior. At UIC, I joined multiple organizations and programs, worked several part-time jobs, and volunteered with the Greater Chicago Food Depository. After my first year at UIC, I reverse transferred back to CCC to earn my Associate of Arts in Finance in 2025. I am set to graduate in December 2026 from UIC with a Bachelor of Science in Finance.