The first time I realized how deeply healthcare decisions affect a family wasn’t in a classroom; it was across a desk, sitting with a patient who was trying to decide between pursuing fertility treatment or protecting their financial stability. I watched fear, hope, and exhaustion coexist in a single moment. That experience confirmed what I had already begun to understand: healthcare is not just clinical care; it is emotional, financial, and deeply human. I am an undergraduate student in Wisconsin pursuing a degree in Health and Human Services, and I returned to school as an adult with purpose and clarity. My professional background in healthcare finance has placed me at the intersection of patient care and systemic barriers. I work directly with individuals and families navigating complex treatment options, helping them understand their choices during some of the most vulnerable periods of their lives. These experiences have shaped not only my career goals, but my sense of responsibility to serve with compassion and integrity. Returning to school later in life has required sacrifice, discipline, and resilience. Unlike traditional students, I approach my education with a deep awareness of its impact. I am not learning in theory—I am learning for the people I serve every day. Balancing coursework with full-time work has strengthened my time management, focus, and perseverance. Each challenge reinforces my belief that education is not a privilege to be wasted, but a tool to be used intentionally for the good of others. My long-term goal is to earn a Master’s in Social Work and become a licensed clinical social worker serving underserved and marginalized communities. I am particularly drawn to working with individuals facing housing insecurity, reproductive health challenges, and mental health barriers; populations that are too often overlooked within the healthcare system. I want to be a provider who listens, advocates, and helps people navigate systems that can feel overwhelming and inaccessible. Patty Timmons’ story resonates deeply with me. Her belief in second chances and the ripple effect of education reflects my own journey. I have witnessed how access to knowledge, support, and opportunity can transform not just one life, but entire families. I am committed to using my education to extend that impact outward—helping individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered to move forward. Receiving the Patty Timmons Women’s Healthcare Scholarship would relieve financial strain and allow me to remain fully focused on my academic and professional goals. More than financial support, this scholarship represents belief—belief in women who return to school with intention, in careers built on service, and in the power of education to create lasting change. Through my future career in healthcare and social services, I intend to honor that belief. I will continue showing up for patients not just with knowledge, but with empathy, advocacy, and respect. My goal is simple but profound: to make healthcare feel more humane, accessible, and hopeful for the individuals and families who need it most.

Mental illness and addiction do not arrive as isolated events; they quietly weave themselves into families, altering relationships, futures, and identities. My motivation to pursue a career in mental health is rooted in this truth and in the lived experience of watching someone I love struggle without adequate support. In the ethnic community I come from, mental health is often treated as something to endure in silence. Seeking help is frequently viewed as a weakness or a source of shame, rather than an act of survival. That silence can be devastating. My sister’s life changed dramatically after developing an addiction to Adderall and other prescription drugs. What began as substance use evolved into severe mental illness, fundamentally altering who she was and how she could show up as a parent, a sister, and a member of our family. Her children were affected. Our entire family was affected. I have spent years trying to help her access mental health services, only to encounter barriers that felt insurmountable—programs that would not treat her mental illness until her addiction was resolved, and addiction services that were unequipped to address her underlying mental health needs. The system treated her conditions as separate problems, even though they were painfully intertwined. Brian’s story resonates deeply with me because it reflects the same systemic failure I have witnessed firsthand. The reality that nearly 50% of individuals with severe mental illness also struggle with substance abuse is not just a statistic; it is my sister, her children, and countless families like mine. Mental health care that is fragmented, impersonal, or inaccessible leaves people behind, especially those who are financially vulnerable or culturally discouraged from seeking help. This scholarship’s mission to honor Brian by supporting future mental health professionals speaks directly to why I am pursuing this path. I aspire to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker because I believe social work sits at the intersection of empathy, advocacy, and action. As an LCSW, I want to provide counseling that recognizes the full humanity of each person—mental illness, addiction, trauma, culture, and circumstance included. My goal is not to “fix” people, but to walk alongside them, helping them navigate systems that are often confusing, overwhelming, and dehumanizing. While my personal experience fuels my passion, my purpose extends far beyond my own family. I want to help individuals who feel lost, ashamed, or unsure of where to turn; people who want help but do not know how to ask for it or where to find it. Mental wellness is foundational. When people are mentally well, they are better able to care for their physical health, maintain relationships, parent their children, and envision a future for themselves. By pursuing a career in mental health, I hope to be part of the change that Brian deserved; a system that listens sooner, responds with compassion, and treats mental illness and addiction as the interconnected realities they are. This scholarship would allow me to continue my education and honor Brian’s memory by working toward a more humane, accessible, and effective mental health system for all.

When my son said, “No one in our family has ever finished college,” it stopped me in my tracks. In that moment, I realized that I couldn’t keep encouraging him to pursue his dreams while leaving mine behind. After more than two decades away from the classroom, I made the humbling but powerful decision to return to college and finish what I started. I researched colleges that would allow me to pursue a degree human services online and enrolled. I’m now pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services at Western Governors University, determined to become the first in my immediate family to earn a degree. Over the years, life’s demands—raising two children, maintaining a home, and working full time—often came before my education. But with my children now grown—one a graduate and the other currently in college—I finally saw that it was time to lead by example. Returning to school as an adult student has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. I’ve been inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success and invited to join the National Honor Society, achievements that remind me daily that perseverance pays off. Balancing school and work is still demanding, especially for a middle-class family that falls just outside many financial aid qualifications. Yet every course I complete moves me closer to breaking generational barriers and building a new legacy for my family. My passion for social work comes from lived experience. I grew up in a home where mental health support could have made a world of difference. That realization fuels my desire to become a licensed clinical social worker, focusing on mental health advocacy in the Black community. Before returning to school, I worked as a Housing Coordinator, helping young adults aged 18–23 secure housing and learn life skills. I also served as a Financial Specialist at a fertility clinic, guiding patients through emotional and financial challenges. Those roles deepened my belief in the power of empathy and education to change lives. Receiving this scholarship would relieve a significant financial burden, allowing me to focus fully on my studies and continue serving my community. It would also help my son and me—both full-time students—manage tuition without the constant worry of debt. Completing my degree isn’t just a personal goal; it’s a promise to my family and to myself. It’s proof that it’s never too late to grow, to lead, and to become the change you once needed.