Nakia Quinn, a Harcum College graduate and current bachelor’s degree student, was a teen parent who left high school in her senior year and did not complete a GED until her mid-twenties.The dream of a college education was always there and she managed to enroll for one semester, but lacked the confidence to persist. “I felt like a dropout.”
After several years, Nakia found herself a paraprofessional in the school district working in a special education classroom. But she wanted more. That voice inside her head saying “go back to school” never stopped and was echoed nonstop by the voice of the lead classroom teacher. “I worked there for three years and every day, every day, she asked me ‘when are you going back to school? Every day.” Nakia finally stopped putting it off.
She learned that the neighborhood church where she grew up had a partnership with Harcum College. Although familiarity with the location helped her take the first step, Nakia was determined to complete the degree program before walking in the door. “I told myself, ‘once you’re in there, you are not giving up.’” She stepped inside and there met Ms. Celeste whose words resonated with those of the teacher and her own heart and mind. “Education will change your life.”
Nakia signed up and showed up to class and her degree program. Her professors were equally committed to her success. “Every last one of the professors built our confidence as students saying ‘I’m going to teach you this subject, I need you to be willing to learn.’ They broke down my limiting beliefs and taught us to learn, strategically and step by step.”
Even with her determination, performing in class took hard work. Nakia began college with undiagnosed dyslexia, having taught herself to cope with this learning difference her entire life. “I had to manage my disability and my time in order to succeed.” Rather than considering dropping out when assignments and exams got difficult, Nakia took advantage of the student assistance resources available: tutoring three times a week, meetings with instructors, asking questions when she didn’t understand, and soliciting coaching from her Aunt who was also a student.
Then covid hit and the program transitioned to an online format. Due to financial circumstances beyond her control, Nakia was then forced to live in her car for two months. But even this level of hardship did not deter her from her studies. She sought out wifi connections at libraries and a local hospital, parking just outside to get the best signal and attend class. “I was tired, discouraged. But my spirit kept telling my mind, you can do it.”
All of her hard work and persisting through that hardship paid off. Nakia graduated in 2022 and, to her complete surprise, was awarded the Presidential Student Achievement Award for earning straight As every semester. Her first award, ever.
Nakia decided to continue her college journey and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management from Alvernia University, also offered through Deliverance. The scared person in that first math class is now working full time at a financial services firm performing asset reconciliation. Nakia has her eye on a corporate management position upon completion of her bachelor’s degree. “My degree is my ticket to compete in the workforce. It is proof that I am qualified and have the discipline required. I have confidence now and did not give up on myself.”