The chapter of my life in college does not begin at Lane, however this is where I got on course for success. My first classes at Lane were part of a learning community, in which a Career and Life Planning class was linked with a College Success class. In my final presentation about my transformative experience I mentioned my dream to become involved with Lane's new student housing project. Little did I know that there, in my audience, was a college dean working on Titan Court. On the spot Helen Garrett introduced herself, and this led to my first of three co-op internships at Lane. Thus college became my priority and my academic journey began to outshine my past.

In my junior year of high school I made a terrible mistake. Following peer pressure, I joined two friends in graduating early. We thought we were getting ahead in life. What made this a mistake was not having any plans or goals for life after graduation. I lasted two terms in my hometown college before I moved to Portland and transferred to another community college. Different college, same priorities. Eventually I switched to yet another community college, and slowly but surely headed towards dropping out.

I finally had my turning point in 2011. When my seasonal retail job ended I, along with my best friend Omar, decided to move to Eugene to focus on school. This time I was not only changing my location but also changing my priorities. I wanted my college experience to be more than only attending class; I was curious about students clubs and resources. Through my first courses I learned about myself and accepted responsibility for my own learning. As a direct result of what I put into the learning community I was offered my first co-op.

In my first co-op I researched student housing and contributed my student perspective at project meetings. This was an experience in helping a dream become reality; I saw Titan Court fill an empty pit and become a key piece in reviving downtown. I worked there as a Community Assistant welcoming residents, many of them international students, to their new community. Along all this excitement, I was back in that learning community, this time as a peer mentor, which eventually became my second co-op.

As a peer mentor I worked with students in College Success learning communities. I often met with Lida Herburger, director of Student Success Programs, to discuss how I led campus resources tours, facilitated study groups, sent out campus news alerts, and helped engage students who were "hanging back." Throughout this I developed public speaking skills and learned how to be supportive and encouraging to others. I held this position for six terms and in my last term I earned co-op credit through the Lane Honors Program, training new peer mentors.

Concurrently I did a second honors co-op (my third internship) with an advertising agency, Funk/Levis & Associates. There I worked under the supervision of a social media strategist. I created content for Lane's social media profiles and reported to Lane's marketing manager, Tracy Simms. I also got to know Lane's public information officer, Joan Aschim, who noticed my passion and pride for Lane. She asked if I had given any thought to studying public relations.

When I came to Lane I had the Retail Management degree in mind. My first co-op led me to an interest in higher education. In my second co-op as a peer mentor I learned how much I enjoyed working with people and wanted to major in psychology. My final co-op in an advertising agency opened my eyes to a career in communications. Joan invited me to an event at the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communication, which led to my decision to pursue a degree in public relations.

Before I graduated in 2013, my college success instructor, Mary Parthemer, introduced me to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. I became the founding president of this honor society chapter at Lane, which provides a positive circle of influence for students by supporting the goal of degree completion. I am now with the chapter at the UO, where I await to welcome transfer members from Lane.

Each opportunity I engaged with appeared to open the door to the next. I'm proud of who I've become and where I'm headed thanks to everyone I met within the community at Lane. I look forward to the day I'm able to give back to this college that transformed my life through learning.