It’s not unusual for people considering college to have lots of questions about their ability to succeed. I have experienced that firsthand in my own family and throughout my 43-year higher education career.
Wade Smith, WWSD Superintendent, described the situation well in a recent commentary, noting that local high school graduation rates are higher than average for the state, yet there are still too many who don’t go on to college. While the statistics make a strong case for why people should go on to college, it is often other factors that cause potential college students to be uncertain about their chances for success. From recent high school graduates to those who graduated many years ago, or did not graduate at all, the questions and self-talk sound like this: I had a rough time in high school, I don’t think I’m ready for college. Can I afford the costs and is it really worth it? How will I balance classes with a job and family? Am I just too old?
I have long heard prospective students, including my own mother, raise such doubts. She started college after high school but quit because of work and family. She was a single mom with three boys, and it wasn’t until after I graduated from college that she decided it was her turn. She was 51, went back to college, earned her degree, and went on to become an elementary school teacher.
I think about my mom when people tell me they don’t feel like they “belong” on a college campus. They can’t imagine getting a college degree and if they encounter an obstacle in their first quarter or year, they’re more likely to just quit. My mom experienced this feeling too. She feared that she was too old, worried she’d fail math, but relied upon resources and supports to overcome her perceived obstacles.
My job, and the job of every person at Walla Walla Community College, is to dispel that kind of thinking. When I became vice president of student services at WWCC two years ago, I knew of the college’s reputation for supporting students in extraordinary ways and I’ve been impressed to see the staff deliver the type of services students need today.
For example, every WWCC student is required to meet with an adviser at least once every quarter. The goal is for students to have a conversation with a professional about what they want to do both during and after college and why they want to do it. This interaction is extremely helpful, if not life changing.
WWCC also requires all degree-seeking students to participate in a program called First Year Experience. This provides them with the skills to succeed in college and in life. Topics include money and time management, and information about resources available to them like mental health counseling, a food pantry, emergency loans, and free tutoring. All of that can make a difference between dropping out or staying in school.
I’ve also been impressed by the amount of financial support available for WWCC students and how our dedicated experts work to find the right combination of federal, state, local and private resources. The WWCC Warrior Pledge truly means we will find a way to cover students’ tuition for the two years it takes to earn an associate degree or obtain a workforce certification.
Not a week goes by that I don’t meet a student with a personal story filled with similar challenges. They include Nicole Larsen, who lost her job during the pandemic, and returned to college to study accounting. Like my mom, she never thought she’d be back in college. She relied on her WWCC navigator to help her complete her application and financial aid forms. Her navigator also encouraged her to apply for food benefits.
“You’re not in it alone,” Larsen said. “Every single person at WWCC — advisers and even students – are ready to help. If they don’t know the answer, they’ll definitely get back to you.”
Students today often have to balance college with the demands of their personal lives. Sometimes they need help with food. Sometimes they need an advisor who will listen to their dreams. Sometimes they just need to see themselves as we see them…as a person with potential, ability, and the desire to improve themselves.
That’s what we’re here for. I invite every person who wants to know if college is right for them to give us a call or stop by for a tour. You bring the questions. We’ll provide the answers and support…just like was done for my mom, Nicole, and so many others.
Graydon Stanley is vice president of student services at Walla Walla Community College.