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As we celebrate Black History Month, many influential Black leaders come to mind, such as Maya Angelou, Malcolm X, Harriet Jacobs, Katherine Johnson, and Mamie Till. And though the list goes on and on of all the men and women in the Black community who have had a profound impact on society, there is one name that will always stand out to me above the rest: Rebecca Gant. Many may say, “Well, I’ve never heard of Rebecca Gant,” so let me introduce you to her. 

So, it’s a new year… a new me, right? But what will make this new year’s resolution different from the last? What’s going to make it stick?

What is the first thing that organizations think of when they want to build trust? Do they think of celebrating all their employees? If not, they might be missing out on what Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work, discusses in his book, "A Great Place to Work for All." Bush tells the reader that one of the top ways to build employee trust is by celebrating the small milestones as much as the big wins. This idea of celebrating may not be what first comes to mind, but it is what we all must do to experience and continually cultivate a great place to work. 

It’s that wonderful time of year! The holidays are the perfect time for connecting with old and new friends, spending extra time with family, volunteering or giving back to the community, creating memories, traveling, or just enjoying time off from work. There are so many reasons and ways that people like to celebrate.

When I was eight years old, I wanted to be a veterinarian. That interest pivoted toward a different dream of becoming a muralist with my own studio and the opportunity to work with my hands and create something beautiful on bare walls. That desire waned as I started to discern how my love of reading, writing, and communicating might translate to a career.

I have been an educator for over 22 years and have had the privilege to teach both children and adults. However, teaching Adult Education students at Waubonsee Community College for the past seven years has provided me a new and refreshing understanding and appreciation. It has opened my eyes to the vast realm of "nontraditional" learners, the challenges they face, and the inspiration they offer.  

College is an important decision that we all consider at one point or another in our lives. Some of us decide to attend right out of high school, and others return when our lives present an opportunity to fit it into everyday life. I took both paths and enrolled in a private undergraduate program right out of high school. Two decades later, I returned to school for my master’s degree. 

Students can face multiple obstacles in life as they frequently juggle work, family obligations, personal health and wellness needs, and taking classes simultaneously. Managing personal finances can leave one feeling unsure of where to start and whom to trust.

Many people do not know this about me, but I am originally from Jackson, Mississippi. I am a product of two teenage parents and the local public school system that was far from perfect. Growing up in Jackson, diversity was not something I encountered very often. Everyone in my neighborhood was black. Everyone at my church was black. Easily 95% of the people at my school looked like me and were from similar backgrounds. I grew up with plenty of love, family, and good southern food, but there was not much diversity where I was raised.

Have you ever felt like you do not belong or felt out of place? Some people living in America feel this way. I grew up feeling this way because my parents are immigrants. However, America provides opportunities for all people and our community colleges are a great place to take advantage of opportunities for education and self-improvement. My father took advantage of  community college by taking classes to improve his English and small business.