She’s balancing raising a child, pursuing a criminal justice degree and fighting injustice with her peers.
I started at Gateway in spring 2010 and am pursing a degree in Criminal Justice. My goal is to eventually gain a master’s degree so I can teach criminal justice. I have always had the dream to teach, even as a child. When I attended Gateway my passion for teaching was rekindled.
When I first attended Gateway I was feeling anxious and nervous; I had been out of school for 20 years. It’s kind of funny because now it feels like all of that anxiety was for nothing. Gateway feels like a family. My instructors and advisor know me well, and they are so personable. In fact, a lot of people know you by name. I walked into the Gateway bookstore, and the person working there said “Hi, Christy.” I couldn’t believe he remembered my name, how funny.
I am also involved at Gateway as a member of Phi Theta Kappa and work with Criminal Justice. Recently I accepted a Liberation Award from the Kentucky Rescue and Restore Coalition on behalf of a team of students who developed a tool kit that police officers can use to overcome language barriers and recognize potential human traffic victims. I hope to expand that work and create a group of volunteers that would fight against hate crimes, domestic violence, human trafficking, bullying and other injustices.
Being successfully in school and raising a child can be a lot to balance. I have a 9-year-old son, and he is involved in a lot of activities. I love going to his baseball and football games. He is great; he knows that school will help us get our life back on track, that it means a job with better pay. It’s funny because we both compete for grades.
Even though graduation seems far away I can’t wait. I will be the first person in my immediate family to graduate college; it will be a relief and it will be an example for my son. Until then I live by this quote from Rent, “It’s no day but today.” To me that means don’t live in regret, stay focused at where you are now.