Single-income households are naturally hard- pressed to find the funds for higher education. For a family of five children on a single ministry income, it was impossible. It became my sole responsibility to find a way to pursue my ambitious goal of becoming an attorney.

In high school, I began researching what options I had for higher education, given my socioeconomic status. I knew that I would have to save a substantial amount of money, so I went to work. Graduation was near and the digits in my savings account had risen, but it was still not enough. I simply could not afford more than one year of college. I concluded that I would not pursue a degree. Then, in God’s providence, the door to College of the Ozarks opened. Behind that door was my path to higher education. I’m now pursuing my degree in finance, while also paying my tuition cost by working in the College Admissions Office. Every day, I get the opportunity to help potential students, and their families find and walk through the same door that I did to higher education. No words can describe the look in the eyes of bright students who have just learned that their dreams of higher education are possible through the work program at College of the Ozarks.

My work experience has also provided my resume with a competitive advantage during interviews, securing for me an incredible internship opportunity this summer. It is clear to see that the work program at College of the Ozarks not only opens a path to a higher education for students like me but changes the trajectory of their lives.