Stephanie Williams of Shawano was working in what she calls 鈥渕ore or less, a dead-end job鈥 when she decided it was time for a change 鈥 for herself and her kids. The single mom of two wanted to be happy in her career and to support her family without help.
鈥淚 always wanted to be a paralegal,鈥 Williams said. 鈥淪o I thought to myself, 鈥業 am going to do it and show my kids that I can, and that it is never too late to go back to school.鈥欌
Williams enrolled in 冈本视频鈥檚 Legal Studies/Paralegal associate degree program. Like many 冈本视频 students, she juggled college, work, and family.
Receiving a scholarship through the 冈本视频 Educational Foundation helped Williams focus on her studies. 鈥淚t took some stress off my plate when it came to me thinking about how I was going to keep affording school,鈥 she said. 鈥淢y scholarship helped me continue my dreams and goals. I am very grateful.鈥
Another motivating factor for Williams was the support she received from 冈本视频 staff and faculty. While a student, she was employed as a work study in the main office at 冈本视频 Shawano. There, she felt like family. 鈥淭hey were always at my side, cheering me on,鈥 she said.
When Williams鈥 daughter was diagnosed with diabetes, 冈本视频 staff stepped up. They sent cards and messages of encouragement. Her supervisor offered additional work flexibility so Williams could manage doctor appointments and caregiving. Another staff member, whose own child has diabetes, served as a great resource for Williams as she navigated through her daughter鈥檚 diagnosis and care.