Q: What are your plans after graduating?
A: Working, freelance writing and going for my Bachelor’s in Communication/Journalism/Public Relations.
Q: Why did you choose Atlantic Cape?
A: In 2021, after I moved to Atlantic City, I saw a job opening in the Admissions department at Atlantic Cape, so I applied. After interviewing for the position and not getting hired, I decided to enroll instead. I took two online classes the second half of the fall 2021 semester and received an A in both classes.
Q: What opportunities has Atlantic Cape provided you?
A: Atlantic Cape has given me more in my four years here than I have had in my entire 29 years of life. I was given the opportunity to take in-person classes once I bought a car and got my license, which changed my life in so many ways. Atlantic Cape has taught me more than just knowledge through textbooks, it has taught me that by working hard, supporting my peers and getting involved, I could blossom into the woman I was always destined to become. Atlantic cape gave me a community, life-long friendships, life-long support and life-long knowledge. I owe it to Atlantic Cape for providing me with the direction I craved both during my youth and throughout my teenage years.
Q: What activities, clubs or sports were you involved with during your time at Atlantic Cape?
A: Staff Writer for the Atlantic Cape Review (ACR), Communication Awards Club, President of the Communication Awards Club and contributor to Rewrites Literary Magazine.
Q: Describe the biggest challenge(s) you faced and how you overcame it/them.
A: During the summer 2022 semester in August, I found out that I was going to be a mommy. I was very sick for three months. I un-enrolled from my classes that fall and planned to re-enroll the following Spring 2023 Semester, but I had to have an emergency C-Section. I re-enrolled for the Fall 2023 Semester and I took in-person classes. I have been clean off heroin for five years. My daughter is now two-years-old. She’s talking, walking — mostly running — and can count to 10 and recite her ABC’s. Statistically, she shouldn’t even be alive. Overcoming these obstacles while continuing to pursue my education at Atlantic Cape has given me some humility and has taught me that no matter what happens in life, I do not and will not give up. I will take the struggles I endure as fuel to go harder and to succeed.
Q: Did you attend classes at Atlantic Cape in-person, online, hybrid or remote?
A: In-person, online, hybrid and remote.
Q: Who would you like to thank for helping you achieve your college or career goals?
A: Keith Forrest, Department Chair and Professor of Communication, who helped me find myself by providing a safe community where my peers and I could share our struggles, our challenges, our successes and our failures with one another. I have met amazing people by working hard, supporting each other, and getting involved: Ruby Taylor, Sandy Bollo, Katherine (Kat) Jaques, Shane Crowley, Laura DeBlois, Olivia (Liv) Matthews, Associate Professor of English Rich Russell, Senior Adjunct Professor of Public Relations Jenna DeLuca, Assistant Professor of Communication Dr. Jennie Field, and all of the amazing students, staff and faculty I have met along the way. Without meeting these people, I never would have believed in myself enough to continue pursuing a career in Journalism/Public Relations. So, thank you all for giving me the courage to believe in myself.
Q: What does graduating from Atlantic Cape mean to you?
A: Enrolling at Atlantic Cape for me, was the most powerful thing I could have ever done for myself. Even after all the hard times I endured with having an opioid addiction, with having a premature daughter, and with failing my semester after being an honor student — I did not give up. I kept going because of the support I got from the people at Atlantic Cape. For the first time in my entire life, I had surrounded myself with people who genuinely wanted me to succeed. My peers at Atlantic Cape told me I could do it, they told me I would do it and they showed up for me when I didn’t believe I could. For me, graduating from Atlantic Cape is more than just getting an associate degree. It means that I have finally accomplished something for myself. It means that I have finally reached a point of confidence and maturity. I know there will be struggles in life, but no matter what I go through, graduating from Atlantic Cape means I am finally at peace. If it weren’t for Atlantic Cape, I do not know where or who I would be today.
Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about attending Atlantic Cape? Why should they consider Atlantic Cape?
A: Atlantic Cape offers a multitude of prestigious academic opportunities, such as degrees, certificates, athletics, clubs, outside services, mental health services, tutoring, a Campus Closet, a food pantry, financial aid programs and more. Atlantic Cape is not just a community college, it is place that brings all students of all backgrounds together to learn, grow, change, meet life-long friends, and to find yourself. If you work hard, support each other, and get involved, your time here at Atlantic Cape will be more valuable than you could have ever imagined. Most importantly, at Atlantic Cape you will receive the same education — if not better than — that students receive at four-year universities. If you have any doubts, do it anyway. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Q: What is Your Advice for Future Students?
A: Get involved, join clubs, athletics, attend events, make friends and study hard. Make your grades your number one priority and put yourself out there. If you do these things, I can guarantee that your time here at Atlantic Cape will be worth it.
