Student Success Stories
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Hareece
Hareece started Gateway to College in the Spring of 2007 at the age of 17 with only 6 high school credits. After nearly 3 years of hard work and much encouragement from his family and the Gateway staff, Hareece graduated from the program in December 2009 with his high school diploma and 55 college credits. During his time in Gateway, Hareece worked to support his girlfriend and two children. He also provided positive leadership to fellow Gateway students and helped tutor his peers in history. Hareece is currently enrolled at Community College of Philadelphia and is working toward his associate's degree in facilities management. After completing his associate's degree, he plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in facilities or construction management and eventually take over his father's construction and plumbing business. He wants to use his education to take the business to the next level. He still has a long way to go, and the path surely won't be easy as he struggles to support his family while keeping up with his studies. But, as Hareece suggests, "What is the point of living if you have nothing to strive for?" |
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Lauren
Lauren enrolled in Gateway in Fall 2007 at age 16 with only 3 high school courses completed. Traditional high school didn't work out because she missed many days due to debilitating migraines. The later start time, reduced classroom hours, and new environment provided the breath of fresh air Lauren needed in order to reduce the migraines' frequency and severity. In May 2010, Lauren became the first Gateway student at MWCC to simultaneously earn her high school diploma and associate's degree (Broadcasting & Electronic Media), graduating with 100 high school credits, 69 college credits, and a cumulative college GPA of 3.12. Lauren also pursued her passion for writing through her contributions to the college's annual literary journal. Today, Lauren is a second semester junior at Brandeis University pursuing a double major in English and creative writing. Her goal is to become a writer with a focus on the arts and ultimately to weave her love of writing and photography into a cinematography career. When asked how Gateway made a difference in her life, she said the campus atmosphere was student-focused; the staff was supportive, helpful, and really cared about student success. The aspects of the program which contributed most to her academic success was the self-accountability which motivated her to do her best. Lauren feels she has a more mature outlook toward education and works harder because of this experience. Gateway has changed the way Lauren views herself in that she is much more positive about herself and the future, where education is stimulating and not a chore. The environmental change enabled her to focus on academic success and not merely on the "survival treadmill" of managing the traditional high school workload/schedule with medical absences. |
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Jesse Jesse began Gateway to College (GtC) at Riverside Community College in fall 2008. Before beginning GtC, he had less than one year of a high school education, was facing 3 years in prison and was nearly stabbed to death in a street fight. During GtC Jesse completed his probation, earned 144 high school credits, and 36 college units while holding a full-time job at Affiliated Computer Systems. His employer made him the lead technician due to his expertise and reliability. Jesse also recently became a father. After graduating, he will need less than one year of college to complete the requirements for an associate's degree at Riverside City College. Following RCC graduation, he will pursue sound engineering at the Los Angeles Recording School in Hollywood, California. |
