Joe Bright

Coming from a small town in Northern Illinois I was not exposed to many things outside of that community while growing up. Going to Augustana opened me up to new experiences and gave me the opportunity to interact with people from other communities across the country and even from around the world. My experiences there helped lead me to my belief that I am not just a citizen of the state of Illinois or of the United States, but of the entire world.

Maria Chavez

I'm not from Illinois but went to community college and it has drastically (in my eyes) changed my life. I went from doing general labor of unloading trucks at a warehouse to working in the financial industry; something I never thought would happen. Basically college is the best thing in my little career that has happened to me.

Eddie Brambila

#CCE4me In high school, I used to think that going to college would be the only way to get a good job that would help me make enough money to buy all of the nice things we couldn't afford growing up. My parent's were both very young immigrants when they came to the US and only had an elementary school education so saving for college or even convesations about going to college were never had in my household. Now that I have my own children, they know that their educational path does not even take a break until they graduate from college. We take our children to college campuses when we are on vacation. They have a college pin collection from the college campuses I've been to in my business travels. My daughter (9) plans to go to Georgetown University and figure out how to systematically help wipe away the homelessness that she sees. My son (5) wants to go to Notre Dame. I'm sure that will change with time. Going to co llege has helped me see that it wasn't just me I was going for. Goint to college changed the trajectory of my family for future generations. Those generations have to thank my mother for her unconditional support even if that was just to remind me that I could do it while many others were saying I should be working and making more money than my job and GI Bill were giving me. Now, most of them have changed their views on college and my younger cousins are in line to go to school!!!

Jacqueline Moreno

I was the first person in my family to graduate from high school, the first person to go to college, and the first woman in the entire family to be truly self-sufficient and independent. Twenty five years ago there were plenty of people in my family who made a very good living without a college degree – and they were all men. What I learned in college, and the career my education has allowed me to have, is extremely valuable. But the freedom that I gained by being the first woman with real options and financial security - is priceless.

Arianna Lawson

College changed everything for me because I was first to graduate from high school, and the first to go to and through college. Those two things alone in general were such a big leap and scary for me. I was able to open up and meet some amazing people as well as join leadership organizations (serving on an executive board), and so much more. I was also able to travel different states, vacation, and study abroad (something that I never thought was possible). I believe the biggest impact that college had on me was to show me that anything is possible. #CCE4me

Marbella Moreno

My dad had to drop out of college to move to the USA. He wanted to become a teacher but was unable to finish his education. He always regretted not being able to complete his degree but never his decision to give us a future. College changed everything for my family. I become the first one in my family to graduate and was able to complete my dad's life goal to finally seeing his name on a diploma.

Suzana Estrada

#CCE4me Unlike many people who know their plan from a very young age, I didn’t always know that I was going to college, or better yet even understand what that meant. Nonetheless I was lucky enough to fall into a journey that got me to college and now to be an advocate for higher education. My trajectory through education happened in a series of steps which took place at very particular moments in my life. These steps involved educators who “put a bug in my ear” or “planted the seed” to get me thinking about what I should do next in my life. Considering these pivotal moments, including all of those whom I’ve met and have influenced my life in some sort of way, I have been very inspired to want to work with students especially the kids that are a little lost like I was through high school.

Ciera Landolt

#CCE4me My parents only completed their high school education but always pushed me to have a better life then they had for themselves. Getting my college degree was my chance to provide a better life for my children then my parents did for myself. I completed my undergraduate degree at McKendree University and while doing so it opened my eyes to helping people and the value of a higher education. I now plan on getting my masters in College Student Personnel Administration at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. There I will continue to be able to make an impact on students lives with higher education.

Celeste Reed

#CCE4me College Changed Everything for me. I was able to continue my legacy of a long line of educated black women in my family. I was able to find out what exactly I wanted to do with my life. I was able to meet lots of great people and have great experiences. I learned a lot and gain valuable knowledge for the real world and my career.

Sarah Miranti

College changed everything for me. I was working in customer service before college and volunteering in social services because I wanted to impact the world in which I lived. When I started college, I learned that I could make a living by doing service for others. College changed everything for me because now I can help others change their worlds.

Richard Payton

I discovered my professional passion for education through a handful of college courses at the University of Missouri. That experience opened my eyes to the value of education for individuals and entire communities, but also the unfortunate inequities that exist within our country when it comes to education. I am so grateful to have had that experience at a point in my life where I was deciding which career path to pursue. I can't imagine working in any other field and I truly have my college experience to thank.

Jim Applegate

I was raised in a small town where neither of my parents nor most of the town went to college. Nevertheless I never remember a time when my brother and I were allowed to think we weren't going to college. He became a physician and I earned my PhD. Sadly I never asked my parents (my father died when I was 16) where this commitment for their children came from. I wish I had since building family commitment for young people from families like mine is a big part of the work we need to do. #CCE4me

Karen Hunter Anderson

One of the most rewarding aspects of my career in education has been working with Illinois Community Colleges because community colleges change lives! We give second chances to students who never thought they were "college material" -- whether it's the single mother who earns a degree or certificate and finally gets a job that includes benefits or the dislocated worker who is facing the unemployment line. We provide second chances to successful people who need a career change or who need to update their skills. For the almost 1 million students we serve every year, COLLEGE CHANGES EVERYTHING! #CCE4me

Eric Zarnikow—ISAC

While both of my parents graduated from college, they were the first in their families to graduate from, let alone go to college.  In fact, they were probably the first in their families to graduate from high school.

Even though my four sisters and I were not pressured to go to college, it was expected that we would go.  But, even with two parents that had graduated from college, only one of my siblings and I graduated from college; two other siblings went but didn't graduate, and the other chose not to attend at all.  The path is not easy.

I had to pay for my own college, so I had several jobs in high school and while I was in college to help pay for the cost. I worked several years as a roofer, and I think roofing has to be in the top 10 difficult jobs.  I actually got some of my most important life experiences from roofing. I learned how to get along with people from all walks of life. I learned how to earn the respect of my co-workers--by showing up on time, not complaining about doing the worst parts of the job, and volunteering to stay late to get things done. I also learned that I didn't want to be a roofer! There are people that love it and who are great at it, but I knew it was not for me—in part because I hated the heat. By the end of each summer, I was very motivated to go back and finish school because I knew I was much better suited for an office position—preferably in a building with air conditioning!

Although finishing college and later getting my MBA at night school while working full time was not easy, there is no doubt that it was worth it for me.  I have loved my career and the great opportunities I have had as a result of my education. The smell of hot roofing asphalt on a summer day reminds me that every life experience has had value for me—I’m grateful that college allowed me to take those life experiences and put them to use in a career I love.

Susan Drone

I attended SIU Carbondale. The Journalism and Speech Communication departments were both nationally ranked so I could obtain a great education close to home and proudly be a 3rd generation Saluki. Participation in student government and student orientation allowed me to develop leadership skills while serving my university, and fellow classmates and future Saluki students. The opportunity to work on campus helped me to pay for part of my college education. These experiences and my academic coursework truly prepared me to confidently enter the workforce. Within a few weeks of moving to Chicago I obtained a great position with an amazing international advertising agency. It was thrilling to see my dream of working in that field come true. Now I’m working on my second career dream, in higher education, because I want to help as many students as possible to learn that COLLEGE CHANGES EVERYTHING! #CCE4me

Nkechi

As a first generation college graduate, I discovered early that college has given me the power of knowledge, critical mindedness and most importantly the unending desire to acquire more knowledge. For every step of my college experience up to a PhD level, there was a burning desire to learn more and I could literally connect with the transformation taking place "inside". I can confidently say that College is a “confidence booster” and I would not trade that opportunity to attend for anything else!

Amanda

My mom went to school and finished her bachelors degree while I was in college. We even took some classes together. Watching her determination and drive changed the way that I thought about my own education. It also showed me that the really smart people are the ones who know that there is always more to learn. #CCE4me

Candace Mueller

My mom and dad did not go to college. My aunt was a social worker. When I met with my advisor at the UIUC campus to plan my freshman schedule, I told her I wanted to be a social worker too! Four years later I had an MSW, and was a lobbyist for children's issues in Washington, DC. College Changes Everything definitely applied to me! #CCE4me

Lynne Baker - ISAC

#CCE4me The greatest thing academically was being able to take the courses I wanted to take--the stuff that really excited me--and not having to take the stuff I hated (like algebra and trig!). There were so many things to get involved in on an extracurricular basis. I didn't end up majoring in theater, but I did improv comedy all through college, and it was one of the best experiences of my life, and prepared me with skills I've used in various aspects of my work since then. Then there was the tremendous feeling of being independent--not just being able to come and go as I pleased, but also having to take care of myself--juggle school, a part-time job, a budget, an apartment, relationships with roommates. Invaluable life experience and preparation for the rest of "life." Only wish I could go back and do it again. And again :)