Ozuruigbo Ijeoma Atulegwu is a special person. She spent most of her life doing for others and taking care of the people around her. A 2020 graduate of South Suburban College’s Nursing Program, Ozuruigbo will now take her compassion into a workforce starving for more people like her. She is ready to join the heroes battling the pandemic on the…
Opportunities to Celebrate
When Maria “Lina” Guzman immigrated with her family to the United States in 2000 with the dream of college education for her children, she never thought she would be providing the academic inspiration. This summer Lina, a 39 year-old resident of Harvey, IL, finds herself planning a graduation party for herself and her daughter Nancy, a recent first-generation graduate of South…
When Opportunity Knocks…
Denise Hutton says the old adage is true, when one door closes, another door opens. Six years ago, Denise made a bold choice to unlock her future. She had just lost her job working as an administrative assistant in the city of Chicago. She worried about what her options would look like at 56 years old. She knew her lifetime…
A View from the Frontlines
At the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic stands Phyallen Chaney, a South Suburban College student and emergency room customer service registration clerk. Phyallen, a 36-year old resident of Markham, IL, is often the first face a person sees when they are walking up for a coronavirus test under the University of Illinois Hospital (UIH) Medical Center tents. “We are…
The Sound of Fulfillment
As a Christian man, David Frazier likes to cite the Book of Genesis, Chapter 11, when discussing his passion for language. “It says something profound about the importance of language and communication,” says Frazier, a 32 year-old resident of University Park, IL. In the Old Testament passage, the Babylonians wanted to make a name for themselves by building a mighty…
Paying Priceless Forward
As a kid growing up in South Holland, Illinois, Enyinnaya Omelogu always wanted to follow in his parents’ footsteps and join the healthcare community. He witnessed the humbling and fulfilling emotions his mother Deborah would experience. She told Enyinnaya “joy and sorrow are not unusual on any given shift.” As a proud graduate of Thornwood High School, Enyinnaya didn’t immediately…
An ‘Impossible’ Road to a Healthy Career
Norma Highsmith never gave up on reaching her ultimate goal. The 42-year-old knew that if she was to going to overcome her roadblocks to a rewarding career in the medical field, she needed to “expand her horizons” through a college education. “One day I saw a flyer about South Suburban College’s Allied Health & Careers Programs and I knew this was my opportunity,” said Norma, a resident of Markham, IL. That opportunity will culminate this spring when Norma…
Breaking the Code to a Fulfilling Career
When Yvonne Stovall took early retirement from her United States Post Office position, she never dreamed it would be the catalyst to inspire her achievement of a college degree, let alone a more meaningful career. Yvonne, a South Holland resident, contemplated her options. She was 49 years young, and she knew she wanted to continue working. Yvonne felt fortunate that…
(Steno)Interpreting the Signs for Career Change
Community Colleges provide an opportunity for students to explore a wide range of careers that will have a significant impact on their future happiness and well-being. However, the choices that individuals face to pursue their own dreams for a meaningful career are often not so straightforward and may even take some additional change of direction. Chicago resident Grace Roh was…
A Free Ride from Lansing to Urbana
Amy Watson, of Lansing, had a difficult decision to make. Stay home to pursue her goals at Columbia College of Chicago, or to move away to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. Unlike many students making choices about their academic future, Amy was fortunate that hers would not be dictated by finances because of the success she achieved attending…