Meet Laura"I started attending Red Rocks Community College in the summer of 2011. This is my second attempt at college. The first time was right out of high school, but I found that I was lost once I got there. It wasn’t that the material was too hard or that I was ill-prepared for college, but rather that I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I had spent a lot of time in high school hiding my identity, and trying to “fit in.” I was the only known gay person in my high school, and that was just not okay in my hometown—I was pretty severely bullied. I had spent so much time denying who I was, in fact, that by the time I was finally able to be myself, I didn’t know who I was.
So, instead of pursuing the degree everyone thought I should, I decided to drop out and do some soul searching and some healing. I needed that time more than I could ever explain. That led me on a rather insane journey from Indiana (where I am from) to West Virginia, Maryland, and then Colorado. I also ended up with a really amazing dog while I was in West Virginia who has been my best friend throughout the past 9 years of my journey, and the coolest dog I have ever known.
Once I moved to Colorado, I ended up at job in a mutual fund company that seemed to have a lot of opportunity for me. I was able to move up in the ranks fairly quickly, and was doing a lot of work that usually requires a Master’s degree. However, I didn’t feel like I was doing work that made me happy. It was lucrative, and it was paying my bills, but I wasn’t changing the world. That is when I decided I needed to go back to school.
It took me a little while to figure out that my heart is in science and always has been. So, I decided to major in Biology. This past fall semester I quit my job, and started going to school full time. I am now a TA (Teaching Assistant) for Bio 111 courses. I am usually always in the science hallway. I’ve really had an opportunity to excel here. I joined Phi Theta Kappa in the spring of 2012, and have had an opportunity to work on a few projects with them. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA. I will graduate in the fall of 2013, and will then transfer to finish a Bachelor’s degree.
I am planning on going to graduate school after that for my Ph.D. I don’t yet know where I want to focus in Biology. I am considering a Cancer Biology program at CU-Denver, Ecology, and CU-Boulder’s Museum Science program. I wish I could do it all, but I am just one person.
So don’t ask me what I want to do yet when I grow up. I don’t know—I’m not grown up yet!!! I do know that I want to teach at the college level (maybe I’ll end up back here teaching someday?), and I want to spend some time doing research. I want to make an impact on the world. I live by the philosophy that we should leave this place a little bit better than the way we found it.
I will say that Red Rocks has been an amazing place to restart my journey. The staff is incredible, and more supportive than I could ever hope. I never feel like I am just a number here. It has also been a blessing to be an openly gay student, and not feel as though I am being bullied or discriminated against. Not having to carry that weight on my shoulders has helped me be so successful. I am very grateful for all that Red Rocks has given me. It will be a bittersweet graduation, but I’m ready for all the doors Red Rocks has helped open."
-Laura
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