April is 社区 College Month and we wanted to take the time to celebrate some of our incredible alumni.
National 社区 College Month started in 1986 as a way to spread awareness for community, technical and junior colleges that provided another option for students looking for higher education.
我叫Bryan Goman, 2014年毕业于bbin信誉网站. I started in our Marketing Department last September and I wondered how many more alumni now worked for the college. I was surprised to find out there are many former BHC students who are now BHC employees. Each one has their own story of how community college impacted their lives.
瓦实提贝里
瓦实提贝里 spends her days helping new students find their home at the 东校区. 对她来说，从她记事起，bbin信誉网站就是她的家. “我在bbin信誉网站的经历从子宫里就开始了. 字面上的. 我的母亲凯西·廷利夫(Kathy Tingleaf)在BHC工作了近45年. Some of my fondest memories from childhood were of the times as a tiny toddler, 我和妈妈一起工作，”贝瑞说.
Berry says she not only finished her education with zero debt but she attributes that and her academic success to starting at a community college. “By having so many positive personal and professional experiences I can share with all students during advising appointments and orientation sessions, 促进BHC的文化——公平的文化, 有爱心的, 终身学习和支持,她说。.
艾丽西亚埃斯波西托
艾丽西亚埃斯波西托 is an instructor in the Physical Therapist Assistant program at the 这些城市的校园, 就是她2008年毕业的那个项目. “我总是把脚踩在这里, 看看它并继续参与节目,埃斯波西托说. 毕业后，她回来几次代课. Now she is happy to be able to shape the next generation of students through Black Hawk College.
“如果你不知道自己想做什么, come to a community college and dip into all these courses and not end up with a lot of debt. It’s easier to just take individual courses here and see what you are interested in,埃斯波西托说.
利百加爱尔兰
利百加爱尔兰 is an assistant professor of equestrian science at the 东校区. She began her academic career at Black Hawk College after hearing about the program while living in California. “我选择离开阳光明媚的加州，搬到加尔瓦, 伊利诺斯州, 继续我的学术教育,她说。.
在攻读副学士学位期间, she also competed on the IHSA Western Equestrian Team and the Horse Judging Team.
Irish says that it was her experience at Black Hawk College that led to her pursuing a career in teaching. “当你投入其中，你的好奇心被激发了, 的实践, real-world education experience at Black Hawk College will offer you opportunities to increase your communication skills, 提高解决问题的, 坚定你坚持不懈的决心, 提高领导能力,她说。.
“唐娜欧文, one of my coaches and instructors during my student years at the 东校区, showed me that kind of personal attention and affirmation along with plenty of challenge,爱尔兰人说. “That personal care and aspiration made Black Hawk College a place I wanted to return to so I could continue the tradition and return the favor.”
科尔淑达
科尔·舒达(科尔淑达)在咨询中心的四城校区工作, 但在那之前, 他是一名音乐系学生，也是Phi Theta Kappa荣誉协会的成员. He not only discovered what he wanted to do for the future while attending Black Hawk College, 他和他的妻子也是在BHC学生时期认识的. Lauren Shuda now works in the 职业服务 Center, in the same building as her husband. “I would have never guessed in a million years that this place would become such a huge milestone part of my life,他说.
“You really get a chance to interact with people of all different ages at a community college. 我认为这真的帮助我为工作做好了准备. 你可以来这里，弄清楚你想做什么，”他说. “You may change your mind two or three times but that is what a community college is about. 环境欢迎你是一个正在进行的工作的想法.”
凯瑞恩史密斯
凯瑞恩史密斯 started the 这些城市的校园 over 20 years ago and now works in Adult Education at the BHC Outreach Center in East Moline. 史密斯说，她在大学里找到了自己的激情所在.
“The moment I knew I wanted to work in an educational setting was after starting out as a student worker working in the Foundation Office,史密斯说. “凭借我获得的经验和知识, 还有我的朋友们, it became clear to me that I loved working here and really wanted to start my career at Black Hawk.
“For those who are unsure about college, starting off at a community college is the right choice. So much more affordable, local, and more one-on-one time with professors. Personal assistance is so important to have when starting off at a college,她说。.
“对我来说，副学士学位和学士学位一样重要. I am a perfect example of how BHC can help improve a person’s career opportunity and growth,史密斯说.
bbin信誉网站以许多不同的方式影响学生. The main takeaway I had from these former students turned employees is how Black Hawk College shaped their future. 这帮助他们找到了自己的激情所在, 找到自己的目标，最重要的是, 给他们成长的机会.
If you are interested in learning more about Black Hawk College programs, 联系顾问 or call 309-796-5100 for the 这些城市的校园 or 309-854-1709 for the 东校区.