Pursuing higher education is challenging for anyone but being a single parent while working toward a college degree brings a unique set of hardships. Every day, for the past three years, I have been responsible for balancing my education, full-time job, motherhood, finances, and personal responsibilities. In a sense, that is what we are supposed to do, right? Absolutely, but there are moments when the weight of everything feels overwhelming. And then add on the responsibility of paying for school. I continue because I know that earning my degree can create a better future for both my children and me. My journey through higher education is not only about accomplishing a personal goal; it is about creating stability, breaking generational cycles, and showing my children the importance of going after what you want. One of the greatest challenges faced is balancing it all. There is no second parent in my household to take over when I have educational obligations. My responsibilities as a mother do not stop because I am in school. My children still need my attention, guidance, transportation, meals, and emotional support. This often means completing schoolwork late at night, sacrificing sleep, and finding small periods of time throughout the day to study. I constantly have to manage my time carefully because falling behind can affect my education, job, and family. Financial hardship is another major obstacle. Higher education comes with enormous costs. Things like tuition, books, fees, transportation costs, and other expenses keep my pockets close to empty. I have to consider every financial decision carefully because my resources are limited. Unexpected expenses, such as my car getting repossessed while in this program is just one of the many examples of the hardships I have been facing. You can imagine the stress I have been under to maintain A's and B's and still showing up for my kids while also worrying about how I am going to get back and forth to clinicals and class. There are times when I have to decide which financial responsibility is more urgent and I don't always get the opportunity to pay all of my bills on time every month. The pressure of paying for school while providing for my family can make completing my education feel even more difficult. There is also emotional sacrifice that comes with pursuing my degree. Right now, I am in class and clinicals four days a week and working three days a week, with only a few hours in the evening to spend with my kids. I experience guilt because school requires so much of my time. I have missed many important moments these last three years with my children. I am always reminding myself that the sacrifices I am making now have a greater purpose. My children are one of my biggest motivations to continue. I want them to see that difficult circumstances do not have to determine the outcome of our lives. Despite these hardships pursuing my bachelor's degree in ultrasound has strengthened my determination and taught me resilience. I have learned how to continue moving forward even when circumstances are not ideal. Giving up definitely easier to do sometimes, but it would mean walking away from the future I am working so hard to build. Every obstacle I have overcome has brought me closer to becoming a college graduate and diagnostic medical sonographer. Ultimately, being a single mother pursuing higher education has required much sacrifice, discipline, and perseverance. My journey has not been easy, but the challenges have made my goals even more meaningful. I am pursuing my education not only for myself but also for my children. I want to provide them with greater stability and opportunities. The hardships I face today are temporary, but the education, career, and future I am working toward can positively impact my family for years to come.

One of my primary goals in pursuing a career in diagnostic medical sonography is to build a strong understanding of pathology and sonographic findings. I want to learn how pathology affects the body to be able to provide sound diagnostic images. Developing this knowledge and skill will allow me to confidently distinguish between normal and abnormal anatomy, recognize important findings, and understand when additional imaging techniques may be necessary. This will also allow me to be confident in the potential diagnosis of the patient once read by the radiologist. I want to be able to connect a patient's symptoms, medical history, and laboratory findings with what I observe during an examination. Critical thinking skills are a huge part of this career. Ensuring that I develop those skills to recognize patterns, understanding potential diagnosis, and producing high-quality images is of utmost importance. I want to be a thorough, knowledgeable, and dependable sonographer who understands not only what I am seeing on the screen, but also providing quality patient care. Quality patient care is also a huge proponent in my goals for my medical career. I want to provide every patient with compassionate, high-quality care while producing accurate diagnostic images that can assist physicians in making the correct diagnosis. As a future sonographer, I understand that the images I obtain will pay a vital role in determining what is happening within a patient's body and guiding the next steps in their care. If I don't image it, the radiologist may not see it. If the radiologist cannot see it, then there is a huge risk of a patient not being diagnosed on time or at all. So this aspect of my job is very important and there is a necessity in me becoming a sonographer who is attentive, patient, and thorough. Quality patient care also includes treatment of my patient during this time. I want my patients to feel comfortable, respected, and cared for, especially when they may feel uncertain or scared about their health. Being able to cultivate a space and atmosphere that is peaceful, calm, and reassuring is something that I take pride in. Letting them know that this is a safe space to vent, cry, laugh, and talk is important to me as well. My ultimate goal is to combine my strong technical skills, medical knowledge, attention to detail, compassion, and empathy so that the quality of my work contributes to accurate diagnoses, a great imaging experience for my patients, and better outcomes for them. Racial disparity in healthcare is a huge issue. It affects many black and brown communities, particularly when it comes to access to quality care, communication, trust, and health outcomes. Increasing racial diversity in healthcare is important because of the disparities faced every day and in my opinion would aid in reducing these disparities. When patients see providers and healthcare professionals from different racial and cultural backgrounds especially those who look like them, it strengthens representation, encourages trust, and brings greater awareness to the unique challenges different communities may face. Having a diverse workforce in the healthcare field can bring different perspectives and experiences into the patient-care environment. Increasing diversity also creates opportunities for individuals from historically underrepresented communities to contribute their knowledge, experiences, and talents to the medical field. It gives hope to those who may not have seen people who look like them in the healthcare field. Diversity in healthcare is about representation and strengthening our ability to understand and care for the communities we serve. Every patient deserves to feel heard, valued, and seen.

Returning to school as an adult with two children has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding decisions I have ever made. While pursuing my degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and balancing the responsibilities of raising children full-time and working full-time, it has required determination, much sacrifice, periods of loneliness, and resilience. There have been many obstacles along the way, but these experiences have strengthened my character, confidence, and reinforced my commitment to creating a better future for my family. One of the greatest challenges for me has been the financial aspect. The demand of this degree required me to quit my corporate job at the time and take a lesser paying job that would be more accommodating to my clinical and class hours. I knew that my money would be tight but it has definitely been tighter than I expected. During this time, I have had to put my house up for sale because I can no longer afford the mortgage payment, and my vehicle was also repossessed. I have various outstanding debts that I owe because the lifestyle I was able to live before getting this degree is not one that I can afford to live now. From this, I have become a better steward of my money and I have learned how to stay within a strict budget and save. This financial strain has had me feeling defeated and depressed some days but everyday I get up and get things done. I know that even though my finances are a mess right now, my education is an investment in my future and the lives of my children. The temporary sacrifices I am making today will provide greater opportunities and financial stability in the years to come. Learning how to balance my responsibilities has also been a challenge for me. In this season of my life, I have to give most of my time to school. My children depend on me for their daily needs, financially, physically, and emotionally. At the same time, my education demands long hours of studying, attending classes and clinicals , and completing assignments. There have been many days in these last three years of late studying after putting my kids to bed, only to wake up and do it all over again. Managing my time effectively has become essential, and I have learned to prioritize responsibilities while making every moment count. Plus, my kids are awesome. They never complain about not getting to spend as much time with me because they understand how important it is that I finish this degree. Emotionally, returning to school has also tested my confidence. Ultrasound school is HARD!!! There have been plenty of moments of self-doubt, when I wondered if I was capable of succeeding in clinicals and in this field of work. Watching classmates who had fewer obligations sometimes made me feel like I was at a disadvantage. However, instead of allowing those thoughts to discourage me, I chose to use them as motivation. Every exam I passed, every assignment I completed, and every semester I finished reminded me that perseverance is stronger than fear. Despite these challenges, my children have become my greatest source of inspiration. They motivate me to continue even when I feel exhausted or overwhelmed. My prayer is that by watching me pursue my goals despite the obstacles, they will grow up believing they can overcome challenges in their own lives. My experience has shown me that success is not determined by how easy the path is but by the willingness to keep moving forward despite the difficulties.

My name is Briana. I am a senior at VCU in the diagnostic medical sonography program. When I think of my future, I think of stability, impact, fun, peace, growth, and joy. Attending higher education is going to allow me to achieve all of these things. The knowledge, skills, and clinical experience will allow me to become an efficient technologist. Earning this degree has not come without hurdles though. I had to take a lesser paying job which put me behind on my bills. I had to file for bankruptcy while getting this degree. My car was also repossessed. But somehow, I have managed to get up every day and make it to class, clinicals, and work, very tired, but with a smile on my face and gratefulness in my heart. Earning this degree will allow me to build a stable career that enables me to provide for my two beautiful children while also making a difference in the lives of others. As an ultrasound technologist, I will be the eyes for the doctor, imaging patients and detecting pathology. Patients come into my room feeling heavy, unsure, and even confused. It is my duty to ensure that they leave better than they came by being a light for them in a time that may seem very dark. Whether it is a smile, encouragement, talking them through their procedures, being kind, and joking with them, the goal is for them to leave with a little hope. In the future, a goal of mine is to become the best at what I do. I want to ensure that I am continuously learning as the field of ultrasound is forever evolving. I will always be reminded that I am forever a student in this field, and I owe it to my patients to keep learning so that I can properly image and document pathology. I also want to open up my own ultrasound practice. Ownership is very important to me, and this is a way that I can give back to my community. Opening my own space where patients can feel safe and heard is a huge goal of mine. Positively impacting my community by providing accurate, high-quality ultrasound examinations that help physicians diagnose medical conditions early and improve patient outcomes is the ultimate goal. Being a mother going back to school has really enlightened me in many ways. It has not been for the faint of heart as I have missed out on a lot with my kids these past three years. I am so thankful for my village. Knowing that I will walk across that stage in less in than a year with my kids in the crowd cheering me on is truly what has been keeping me going. I know that my reward on the other side of this is greater than the sacrifices I am having to make right now. Earning this degree will give me back time with my kids, a large pay increase, and will allow me to create a better future for my kids all while serving my community. My kids get to see the attributes of integrity, perseverance, hard work, and the value of education through me. My prayer is that they will be inspired as they continue to grow. Higher education is more than a pathway to a career. It shapes many facets of life and is an opportunity to become matured, developed, and more knowledgeable. Through my work as a diagnostic medical sonographer, I plan to improve the lives of patients, support healthcare teams, and make a positive impact on my community. This has been the best decision of my life. Not just for me, but for the future generations to come after me. I look forward to seeing so many others enter this field.

Two words.... DADDY'S GIRL. The one thing I feel I will never be as drugs and incarceration have been a part of my father's life since I was 2 years old and he has been in and out of prison more times than I can count. I am now 34 and have children of my own who have an active father and I now understand the difference it would have made in my life having him there. I cannot put into words the weightiness of having to learn things my father should have been able to teach me. Growing up without him was a real challenge. As an adult, I can see how his absence affected every part of my life, from my emotional well-being to the way I viewed relationships, responsibility, and my future. Fathers provide a sense of stability and protection; something I have never truly experienced. Although his choices caused pain and hardship, they also helped in shaping me into the woman and mother I am today. I know that I am stronger, more determined, and committed to breaking the cycles of addiction in my bloodline. It taught me at an early age that my choices have consequences that don't just affect me, but the future generations to come, my siblings, and those who look up to me. One decision can either ruin your life or catapult you into greatness. My father's absence has also influenced the way I raise my own children. Knowing I have two people watching me, I have a better understanding that what I do whether they are around or not matters. My decisions could open the door to generational blessings or curses. It isn't about me anymore; it is about living in a way that reflects the attributes I want my kids to uphold. So, I don't drink, smoke, or do anything that could take me away from them. I understand how important love, consistency, and emotional support are because I know what it feels like to grow up without these things. Today, I am pursuing my degree in diagnostic medical sonography. I want to build a future that reflects perseverance rather than pain. My education represents more than earning a degree. I am breaking cycles, creating financial stability, and being the example for my children. I am ensuring that they understand life doesn't have to be difficult and yes, you may be dealt a specific hand, but it is about what you do with the hand you are dealt. I am not defined by my father's decisions, and I don't have to be sad about the life he chose. The little girl in me is proud and can stand tall with her head held high. While we cannot choose the situations we are born into, we can choose how to respond to them. When life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade, pick yourself up, and do what needs to be done!

What I find most challenging about the combination between being an adult student learner and single mother is the lack of time. There seems to not be enough time in the day. I decided to finally go back to school to pursue my degree and career as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer with two kids (now 7 and 10) at the age of 32. Between working two jobs to stay afloat, being behind on bills, going to class, studying, and managing to give enough attention and time to my children, it is tiring. Unfortunately, many medical programs are not created for the adult learning parent who has decided to shift their life and the lives of their children and it is very difficult to completely alter your schedule and still show up in full capacity. I had to quit my full time corporate job to attend school and take a huge pay cut. I now work hourly jobs to sustain the bills and to still be able to show up for my kids in the way I need to. However, the blessing in it is that I am getting the patient and radiology experience I need in these roles. I am dedicated to obtaining this degree but truly obtaining a career that will allow me to have a better work life balance, a career that I love, more money, and a career that my children can be proud of. This scholarship would help me tremendously as paying for school or going into debt to pay for school would not be an issue for me with scholarship money. When I graduated from high school I had no clue what I wanted to do. I had no clue that other jobs in the medical field even existed outside of being a nurse or a doctor. I wasn't educated enough to make an informed decision. This scholarship will not only allow me to pay for school, but this scholarship will allow me to set the tone for my family and the generations after. My kids will be able to see that this is doable no matter what stage of life they are in. I will be able to sit down and have a conversation with my children about their goals as my son already knows he wants to be in the medical field. I will be able to give them the insight they need on making informed decisions about their education and career and I will be able to assist them with more information on getting scholarships and grants which is something I did not have either. This scholarship would assist in also paving the way for my career as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. My goal is to become a neuro or cardiac sonographer which currently in the state of Virginia there is a shortage. This scholarship would assist in financially getting me through the program, but also moving me one step closer to being able to make a difference in the medical field all together. I have wanted this for 10 years. I did the work and got into a program as the only adult learner as I am in classes with recent high school graduates. I would be the first Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in my family as well. So this scholarship is going to help me not only pave the way for future generations, but to also break down the barriers within my family as one of the only family members in the medical field. All in all, I would benefit from this scholarship but so would my children, their children, and the patients whose lives I would have the privilege of impacting.

My name is Briana. I am the first of my seven siblings to obtain a degree. I will be the first Diagnostic Medical Sonographer to graduate in my family lineage. The uncertainty of college as a single mother and barely making enough to stay afloat was the barrier that kept me from pursuing this degree earlier. One day I realized my life needed to change and the future of my children's lives needed a little more certainty. I stepped out on faith and applied to one of the top medical schools in Virginia and got in. With only twelve people accepted into this program, I was blessed enough to receive entry into the program and I have been working hard since 2024. Here I am, entering senior year. As I look toward the future, I am beyond excited about the opportunities and responsibilities that lie ahead. Not just for me, but the opportunities i will be able to afford my children as well. I am also very excited about my knowledge of the field as we need more black and brown men and women in this field. Black and brown ultrasound technologists only make up 4% of this field and I know it is because of the lack of knowledge of this field. I want to change that in the future. Balancing being a devoted mother and my educational goals has not been easy, but this experience, the sacrifices made have strengthened my determination and motivated me to create a better future for myself, my children, and positively impact the patients I will be serving. I plan on becoming a skilled and compassionate Diagnostic Medical Sonographer who provides high quality patient care. Ultrasound plays a critical role in timely and accurate diagnosis and monitoring a wide variety of medical conditions. I will have the opportunity in assisting patients during some of the most significant moments of their lives. I also plan to continue learning and growing throughout my career as the field of ultrasound is everchanging. I haven't quite decided which specialty I want to go into yet, but I am leaning more towards general sonography so that I can keep my skills sharp and continue to grow in all areas of ultrasound. I want to use this experience to inspire and encourage others. If I can do this, SO CAN YOU! As a mother who has balanced family responsibilities while pursuing a challenging healthcare career, I understand the sacrifices and determination required to achieve long-term goals. I hope to encourage other single mothers who feel overwhelmed by their circumstances. I want them to know that success is possible with commitment, faith, and persistence. As a mother I strive to provide my children with love, stability, and a strong example of perseverance. I want them to understand the power of representation in fields that aren't dominated by people who look like us. Representation matters. Black kids need to see their skin color in amazing career fields, not just sports. My goal is to inspire my children to do the hard things because the hard things are what stretch and grow you. Two future goals of mine is to create my own Christian healthcare scrub line and to potentially open up my own ultrasound practice. I also believe in owning and legacy. I know that my future is truly bright and that even though the odds were stacked against me, I was not counted out by God and I will represent Him in all that I do!

My name is Briana. I am currently an upcoming senior in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. I am also a full time mom and I work full time. Throughout my life, I have always desired to make a meaningful difference in the world. I grew up never really knowing how I wanted to do that until I got pregnant with my daughter back in 2015. She ended up being a high risk pregnancy and I spent a lot of time with the ultrasound technologist. I developed a relationship with her because I had to have weekly ultrasounds early on in my pregnancy. It was then that I decided, if I ever went back to school, it would be to become an ultrasound technologist. Not only was it amazing watching her take the images, but her care and compassion for me during a stressful time was what really drew me to the career. As I continue my education and prepare for my career as a diagnostic medical sonographer, I am excited about the opportunity to positively impact the lives of patients through the use of ultrasound. We may not always be the most visible healthcare professionals but the work we do is just as impactful and important as anyone else in the field of healthcare. We play a vital role in diagnosing medical conditions, supporting physicians, and providing compassionate care to patients during some of the most important, potentially life-changing moments. One of the most significant ways I plan to make a positive impact is by helping patients receive accurate and timely diagnoses. Ultrasound examinations are often the first step in identifying medical conditions involving many organs of the body. By producing high quality diagnostic images and applying my knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology, I can assist physicians in making informed decisions regarding patient care. I am also sure that patients will appreciate early and accurate diagnosis as it will lead to more effective treatments, improved health outcomes, and save lives! Another important way that I hope to make a difference is by providing compassionate and patient-centered care. When I think about my experience in that ultrasound room, pregnant with my daughter, and riddled with fear of the unknown, it was the ultrasound technologist who kept me calm and encouraged me. The feeling of anxiety, fear, or uncertainty is heavy on some of these patients. My goal is to make sure I am always providing a welcoming environment where patients feel seen, heard, respected, and supported. A kind word, reassuring smile, and a professional attitude can help ease a patient's concerns and make their healthcare experience more positive. I believe that treating patient's with dignity and compassion is caring for them and is just as important as the technical aspects of the examination. I plan to make a positive impact on the world in ultrasound. My grandmother used to tell me that making the difference in the life of just one person creates a ripple affect of goodness in the world. Caring for others is my passion and through my dedication to healthcare, professionalism, empathy, compassion, and having a heart for people, I hope to improve lives and contribute to a healthier more caring world.

I have one word for pursuing higher education as a single mother…. WHEW! This is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. I wasn’t always a single mother and that definitely was not the goal, however life truly does happen and sometimes it doesn’t happen the way you expect it to. I am currently in school to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, which is a fancy way of saying, I am going to become an ultrasound technologist. I have been doing really well in school, however the balance of working full-time, mom-ing full-time, and being in school full-time is very tiring. I think that has been one the biggest challenges thus far, not having enough time to spend with my babies or sleep. I am in class, clinicals, or working seven days a week every semester. However, I would not change this experience. It has grown me and stretched me in ways like never before. My faith is stronger. My village is amazing when it comes to my children, and I will be graduating with a guaranteed job. Although I am behind on bills, God has sustained me in ways and my money in ways I cannot even describe. I am happier because I am finally doing something right. My babies get to watch me work for something I want and it is teaching them discipline and not once have they complained about not getting to spend a lot of time with me. They always cherish the time and moments we do get to spend. Being a single mother while pursuing my education has required strength, discipline, and resilience. I keep going when I am exhausted (which I highly do not recommend). I am much more intentional with my time because I don’t have much of it. I have sacrificed so much for this degree, just so my kids and I can have a better life and brighter future. It has made me more determined than ever and completely committed to my goal. It has been extremely difficult on me financially but even with that, we always have a roof over our heads and food on the table. My hope is that when my children look at me, they see possibilities and answered prayers. My prayer is that they will understand the power of cutting the distractions, working hard, and achieving their goals. I hope that I inspire them to obtain higher education once they graduate and that they will understand the importance of cultivating a career they love. My prayer is that as a result of my hard work, my children won’t have to be single parents at 34 pursuing their degree. That they will be enjoying life at this age. The fact is, this path is demanding. It can be tough sometimes and filled with doubts and tears and even some fear of the unknown. But it also builds a level of strength in us and a capability that pours over into every other part of our life and the lives of those to come after us. So yes this journey has been challenging but will be so fulfilling when I walk across that stage next year with my babies in the crowd cheering me on. That is what keeps me going!

My name is Briana and I am a divorced mother of two beautiful children. I am currently pursuing my degree in Ultrasound (Diagnostic Medical Sonography). My pregnancy with my daughter was high risk and I developed a really good relationship with the ultrasound technologist. I instantly took a liking to the field of ultrasound. I told myself, if I ever went back to school, it would be for ultrasound. And almost eleven years later, I am about to enter my senior year in the program. Right now, I am working full-time, in school full-time, and a mom full-time. IT IS HARD! I rarely get to spend time with my babies because the program is very demanding. I am in classes and clinicals all week and working all weekend. My village has been amazing, helping me every step of the way and making sure my kids don’t miss a beat. Being a single parent has affected my academic journey because I don’t have a partner to lean on so I am oftentimes up late studying and eating junk. The weight of the household still falls on me and so in this season of my life, I have to forfeit time with my babies to be able to still provide for them. My goal in earning this degree is to make change in the medical field. I want to be able to help those who are sick figure out what is going on in their bodies. I want to be one of the first to find pathology and save a life. I also want to continue being an example for my children to work hard at what they want and inspire them and other children to want to grow up and be an ultrasound technologist.

My name is Briana and I am a full-time student, full-time mom, and I work full-time. I am currently pursuing my degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at 34 years of age. The only way I am doing this is because of my faith in Jesus Christ. Growing up, I was always in church with my grandparents. So faith was something that was instilled in me at a young age. As I have gotten older, had my own children, my faith has developed and grown (not without some mistakes on the way though). Living out my faith is something that has taken me further than I ever thought I would go. It is shown in how I treat and care for people. It is beyond just caring about the issue but also caring for the person who has to make the decisions. As a NICU unit secretary and an ultrasound student I am often time given the opportunity to pour into mothers and fathers. Mothers of really sick babies in the NICU or mother’s who get a pour diagnosis after an ultrasound are afraid and need emotional support, no judgment, and they need to feel safe. I am able to provide that for them in my roles. Faith isn’t just about being pro-life, but it’s also about providing tangible resources for mothers, providing them with community, and praying with and for them. Faith has hugely impacted my future goals. Me going back to school was a faith move. I had to quit my full-time salaried job and pick up a full time hourly job while also taking a $50,000 pay cut to go back to school. So this was not an easy choice for me, but I knew I had to do better for my children and I wanted a career that I felt like I was truly making a difference in. Right now I am paying a mortgage, a car note, taking care of two beautiful children, and many other bills with $2000 a month. God has been stretching that $2000 for me and even though I am behind on a few things, He has sustained me for 2 years. I am entering my senior year now feeling even stronger in my faith because I have trusted God throughout this entire process and my faith has carried me through. In my field of work, I will be able to image babies before birth. I am one of the first people who will see a healthy baby or a baby with pathology and anomalies. My goal is to give mothers enough information to make an informed decision. My goal is to add a small piece of joy to this already intense world by giving mothers first glance at their beautiful babies and to remind them that they could be carrying the next president of the United States. The goal is to protect the baby but to also protect the parents to. That is what I plan to do!

I am a divorced 34 year old mother of two beautiful children. I have a daughter who is 10 and a son who is 7. I honestly believe pursuing a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography whilst being a mother has been one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Between school full-time, work full-time and being a full-time mom, it has been beyond exhausting yet so rewarding. Splitting my time makes me a little sad because I feel that I don't see enough of my children right now. But the most beautiful thing about this is that my children never complain. This has a lot to do with my amazing village in making sure my kids are okay and have everything they need. They always just enjoy the time we have together in this season of our lives. I am in class and clinical Monday through Thursday. I work three twelve hour shifts Friday through Sunday. So the main times I am seeing my kids is in the evenings in which we will have one good hour together before it is time for them to be in bed. I try my best to maximize that time with them. What going back to school to pursue a degree in healthcare has taught me is that God really does turn all things for your good. I went through so much over the past six years. I can't even count how many times I wanted to give up, but God has never taken his hand off of me. Which is why I have to go into this field. I have to show my kids that this can be done and it is even better when you aren't distracted by things that don't matter in your twenties and you get things done in reference to your career early on. Even though this my second go around, going back to school has made me a better woman and mother. I am more disciplined, focused, and patient. Not only do I speak encouraging words to my kids about their life and their future, but I am living those words myself. So they get to see what I am saying in real time. I chose this career field because representation matters and I love helping people. Black Sonographers make up 4% of this field. I am looking to open a door for countless other black and brown people to go into this field with confidence. I play a major role in assisting the doctor in properly diagnosing patients. As sonographers, we are the eyes before the doctor, taking images of patient's anatomy and making sure that everything is operating the way it needs to. This field is so rewarding knowing that I can actually save lives with early diagnosis. People come into the hospital feeling heavy, scared, afraid, and feeling alone in their situation. I love the fact that I am in close proximity with my patients and that I can encourage them and make them feel good even if it is just for that moment. For once in my life I feel that I chose right. I feel that I have done right by my kids and they will get to see me walk across that stage soon and be so proud of what their mother accomplished. I will also be the first Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in my family lineage. I am looking forward to changing the world, changing the trajectory of my entire blood line, and being in a field that makes true change in the healthcare world!

My name is Briana. I am currently a junior in the Clinical Radiation Sciences: Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. I chose this degree for a couple of reasons. The first reason being that I was ready for a change. I had a child in my twenties, got married, had another child, got divorced and now I am here; a 33 year old single mom pursuing this degree. My second reason for pursuing this degree was because of how interesting I found it while being pregnant with my daughter. Ten years ago while pregnant with her I had a high risk pregnancy and developed a relationship with the ultrasound technologist and the idea of being in this career never left my spirit. Not even after ten years. The last reason for pursuing this degree was because I wanted to be an inspiration for my kids, not a reason for them to have to heal from wounds caused by me because of my lack of money or unhappiness in a career. I know that probably sounds crazy, but I believe a lot of parents are burned out at home because of what they do or don't do at work. I wanted a career I loved and one my kids could be proud of. I wanted a degree that would provide me with a career that would allow me to show up for my kids. Ultrasound has a flexible schedule as well. My goal is to not only assist in diagnosing diseases but to encourage other black women and men in my community to pursue this career. Growing up as an African American woman in Virginia, we were not taught about the field of radiation sciences. We were told to go to college and become a nurse, doctor, or play a sport. This career is definitely a hidden gem. so one of the main goals for my community would be to educate them on this field and adjacent fields to it. I also would love to maybe teach this one day. Upon graduation, I will represent the 4% of blacks in ultrasound. I am praying that my pursuit of this career will encourage other black people to pursue this as well so that we can start having equal representation. It isn't enough of us in the medical field. More of us are needed in the fields of medicine that affect us most. My goal is to inspire the next generation by learning as much as I can and getting as good at my job as possble. Letting them know that they have options and that ultrasound is a great option right out of high school. Giving them the space to truly be able to learn about this field and create internships and spaces for black people to be able to show up fully and learn about this field. I want generations after me to look at me and know for a fact that being an ultrasound technologist is something they can do,make great money in, and have a flexible schedule. I would 1,000% recommend anyone to take up this field of work.

My name is Briana. I am a 33 year old single mom of 2 beautiful kids (10 and 7)who decided to go back to school last year and pursue my bachelors in diagnostic medical sonography (ultrasound). This, by far, has been the most challenging thing I have ever done. I almost did not take this leap of faith, but ever since I did God has truly been ordering my steps. I managed to obtain a job working in the court systems, but essentially was not making enough money and I definitely did not feel fulfilled. I didn't feel like I had purpose or a motivation to get up and go to work everyday. I was sitting behind a computer screen sending emails all day. One day while sitting at my desk, I realized how unhappy I was and how I had always wanted to pursue my dream career of being an ultrasound technologist. I went home and applied to the program the same day. I got an interview and aced it. During that time, I put in my two weeks notice at my job with no clue on how I was going to pay bills. For some, that may have been a little irrational, but I am a woman of faith and I knew that if God told me to do it, He was going to foot the bill. I was blessed with a role that was not only around the corner from my school, but it aligned perfectly with my school schedule. I am now a junior in my ultrasound program and doing well with A's and B's. I sat down with my kids and had a conversation on what this would look like. I knew that there would be late nights, tears, and a lot of time spent away from them as I also still work full time along with clinicals. They understood and have been supporting me along the way. My daughter is so proud of me and tells people all the time that I am in school to become an ultrasound tech. To finally be heading in the direction of a career that my kids can be proud of is the real prize. To finally be able to take care of my kids in the way that I want to and that they deserve is the real prize. To be able to work in a field that is so rewarding and assists in diagnosing disease is the real prize. My inspiration for returning to school at this age is simple, I want to change my life, the lives of my children, and patients. I want to work in a field where I can give people hope. Upon my graduation, I will be one of few in my family in the medical field and the very first diagnostic medical sonographer. I would like to think that I am opening a door for generations to come in this field which is why this degree is so much bigger than me. It is bigger than just my dream. I am doing this for my children and their children. I am doing this for generations to come. I am doing this for the 4% of African Americans in the field of ultrasound. And I look forward to graduating with no student loans!

My goals for my medical career and the importance of increasing racial diversity in healthcare go hand in hand. Growing up as a little black girl in a small town, we weren't told to be anything but a doctor, nurse, or to get a sports scholarship. Most of the people in my town went on to be CNA and that was as far as they got. Often times those things seemed so unachievable as we did not have people around us emulating that. One of my biggest goals in my medical career is to increase the awareness of the many other healthcare careers outside of being a doctor and a nurse that are in dire need of racial diversity. African Americas make up only 3% of diagnostic medical sonographers. That means that a black girl or boy needing an ultrasound will more than likely be taken care of by someone that looks nothing like them. That is what I am trying to change. I want our brown and black babies to know that they have options. I want my two children to know that they are needed in a system that they are often overlooked in. My other goal is to expand sonography programs across the state of Virginia. There are not many schools that offer sonography as a degree of choice (4 community colleges, 1 hospital, 1 university). I believe that more people of color would take more advantage of crossing into these healthcare roles if they had proper access to them at a school closer to their home. I think it is important for an increase in racial diversity in healthcare because we need more black and brown representation. We need people who can truly empathize with us and see things from our perspective, not merely because we are telling them about it but because they have lived it too. We need to address the health disparities associated with racial inequality in healthcare and to decrease implicit bias. This will also boost moral in the trust of people of color by having healthcare providers who look like them and who can relate to them. We simply need to increase racial diversity in healthcare because we deserve to be in these roles. We are hardworking, smart, talented people as a whole and we deserve to occupy these spaces without all of the racial propaganda. We deserve to take up space in a world that does not make room for us. Our children deserve the same privileges of walking through the same doors their white counterparts do. The people before us fought so that we could get an education and be in the rooms that don't want us there or invite us with open arms. It is imperative that this generation steps up and LIVES the change in the healthcare field. We must get the degrees and apply for the jobs in healthcare. We must continue to learn so that we can continue breaking the barriers of racial inequality in the healthcare system. And my goal is to continue doing just that; breaking barriers, making ways for my children and the generations to come, and being the foundation so that they don't have to start from scratch again. I am becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer so that my children will know that this is possible and they won't ever have to look anywhere else but inside their home to be able to see God's plans of a black girl breaking down walls in the healthcare field.

Growing up, my dream career was to be Beyonce'. That slowly changed the older I got and by the time I got to high school, I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. I had a father who was and still is battling with drug addiction and a mother who was in an emotionally abusive relationship that took most of her attention, so no one was concerned about my life and what I wanted to do with it. I went on to college, changing my major five times until I landed on a criminal justice degree, and it was probably the worst decision ever. I graduated, got a small job as a deputy clerk, and then I got pregnant. And this is when I can look back and realize that nothing that happens in our lives is in vain. Everything has purpose and meaning. Becoming pregnant with my daughter gave me the clarity in life that I needed. My pregnancy with her was tough. It was high risk and I spent a lot of time in ultrasound, scared, afraid and hoping she was okay. I developed a wonderful relationship with my ultrasound tech and during that time, I got to learn a lot about her career. I fell in love. In that moment I knew this is what God was calling me to do....to become an ultrasound tech. However, ten years passed. Proof that the vision that God gives to you may not come to pass at the time it is given. I waited ten whole years to be able to pursue this goal of mine. During that time, I had my daughter, got married, had my son, got divorced, moved from job to job feeling so unfulfilled, and a bunch of other heartbreak, disappointment, and disobedience in between. Then one day while sitting at my big girl corporate job, getting ready to send my 20th email of that day to people that I never got to see, touch, or physically talk to, I realized this was it. I did not want to move to another job that I hated. I did not want to keep merely dreaming about being an ultrasound tech. I went home, said a prayer and a week later I applied for the ultrasound program at Virginia Commonwealth University. I put in my two weeks notice. I had no other job, I hadn't got into the program yet, and I had no clue how I was going to pay for school. I quit in complete faith with only one goal in mind, and that was that I HAD to get into this program and this had to work out for me. I got in the program a month later. I obtained a job a few months after that, that worked perfectly with my school schedule and "mom" schedule. Today, I am in my junior year of my ultrasound program and I am thriving. My goal is to go beyond the scope of getting the degree and becoming certified. I want to become apart of the teaching faculty for sonography programs. I want to create more sonography programs in the state of Virginia because there aren't many. The school that I am attending is the only university with a bachelor's degree for sonography in the state of Virginia. This degree is bigger than me. It is for my kids and the generations to come after me. It is for my family. It is for every patient whose life I will touch in this field.

Ten years ago, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I spent a lot of time in ultrasound due to a high risk pregnancy. I developed a relationship with the ultrasound tech and really fell in love with watching the screen and asking her questions about the field. From that time on, I dreamed of taking on a career of ultrasound. Time passed, I got married, had another child, got divorced and I felt like I would never really have the time to go back to school to get my degree. Until one day, I was sitting at my desk (at the time I worked for the court system), miserable. Miserable in my career and in the fact that I was behind a desk all day with no client interaction accept through email. It was this day I made up mind to go back to school to become a diagnostic medical sonographer. It was a moment of clarity that working as a compensation analyst was not God's plan for my life. A week later, I put in my two weeks notice, applied to ultrasound school at VCU, and left my job with no other job and no clue how I was going to go to school full time and take care of two children. I didn't even know if I was going to get accepted into the program. I literally left on faith and a prayer. Here I am today, in my junior year of the program, THRIVING. I was blessed with a job that accommodated my school schedule and still allows me to show up for my kids in the way I need too. Why healthcare? I wanted a career that gave me purpose; a career that would make my children proud of me. I wanted a career where I had an opportunity to make a lasting impact on other people while also being a problem solver in the healthcare field. I wanted a career that would allow me to have stability in my home life. A career that would allow me to work full time and mother full time without feeling burned out. Of course I wanted more money as well (because who doesn't). I hope to make a huge impact as a woman in healthcare. To aid in the representation of young black women in the healthcare field as well as in the four percent of black sonographers. I don't want my efforts to just stop at getting the degree and becoming certified. I want to eventually teach other students how to become great sonographers in the field. I want to assist in developing better technology to be able to find pathology quicker and more efficiently. I want to be a form of encouragement for those who are truly going through a tough time. As someone who has experienced poor patient care before, my goal is to give our patients one of the best patient care experiences that they have ever had. I want to be a blueprint for little girls and boys who don't think they can do this. This is much bigger than me. This is for my bloodline. This is for the generations to come after me and I am looking forward to leaving my mark in the healthcare world. Thank you, Briana Callis

I think the attribute I embody the most is definitely daring to take calculated risks. I graduated high school in 2010 and went to college not knowing what I truly wanted to do. So I decided to major in criminal justice because I thought it was "easy". I then graduated college and convinced myself that psychology was what I wanted to do knowing it wasn't and I got my master's degree in 2016. I then found myself in jobs that I never felt fulfilled in that did not offer me good money, time, or peace. During the time of getting my masters I got pregnant with my daughter. A few years after that I got married, built our first home, and had my son. A year after that I went through one of the toughest seasons of my life...MY DIVORCE. During that time, I decided I was going to do some self-discovering. I had worked my way up in the Supreme Court of Virginia but hated my job with a passion. I felt so unfulfilled and like I wasn't making a difference. One day while sitting at my computer, I told myself I was going to go back to school for what I had been wanting to do for the last ten years... SONOGRAPHY. I prayed and prayed and was afraid to even apply because although I had the education, I did not have any background in the medical field. The program itself was a daytime program and I just did not understand how I was going to be able to adjust my schedule to still show up for my kids, work, study, and go to school full time. One day, I clearly heard in my spirit, it's now or never. I put in my two weeks notice at my job, without another job, and I had not gotten accepted into the program as of yet. A week later I got my acceptance letter and I started working again two months after that in a radiation sciences career that had an adjustable schedule and aligned perfectly with my career goals. I say all of this to say this was a calculated risk and a faith move. I did not know how God was going to do it but He did. I quit with no other job, a little saved up, and hope. I haven't missed a bill, my kids haven't gone without, just finished up my first semester and I am living in an answered prayer because I dared to take a calculated risk. I think the attribute I truly need to work on is prioritizing and managing my time. Not just in school, but in general. Between having kids, working two jobs, school, being active in my church, and trying to have some time for myself, I have to say I did a horrible job this year of prioritizing. Granted this was my first semester back in a college classroom as an adult since 2014. I do feel a lot of this semester was me trying to get acclimated to that. I think my plan for improving this attribute is a simple one.... plan ahead of time as much as I can. I need to utilize my planner, my alarm clock, and my calendar. I plan on getting up earlier and getting things done earlier. I plan on meal prepping so that I don't have to spend as much time cooking during the week. I also plan on resting. I was tired last semester and I soon realized how important it was for me to rest when I ended up in the emergency room for passing out. My goal is to take better care of my body. Managing my time has been something that I have struggled with for most of my life. Procrastinating and waiting until the last minute sometimes is the route I choose to go however I think by planning ahead and being more prepared this will help me with procrastinating. Sometimes I think I procrastinate because I have to much to do. I think being able to take some things off of my plate this year is going to be a huge help as well. My goal is to also evaluate what truly needs to be done and what I can hold off on. I am realizing that I truly cannot do it all and the most important things in my life right now are my kids and my degree. So being able to remove everything else off of the table for right now is going to be huge in me resolving this time management issue. Being back in school as an adult learner with two kids has really shown me the importance of time management and prioritizing. I will ensure this gets done!

Being a single mother has so many struggles but so many beautiful moments. I think one of the biggest things that has shaped my educational journey is truly just wanting to make my kids proud. They make me beyond proud every single day so I just want to give that same love back to them. Being an adult learner now while being a single mom has truly increased the need for me to set a better foundation for my children. Not only do I want them to be proud, but I also want them to understand the necessity for education and truly knowing and understanding what they want to do once they graduate high school. Growing up, no one sat me down and talked about the importance of going to school let alone paying for school. It was a decision I had to truly maneuver on my own. I think being a mother but also being back in school as a mother has truly shaped how I want to handle my kids as they grow. Giving them the insight on what they need to do and ensuring that they are excelling in their educational journey. I am currently in school to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. I will be the first in my family. My children will get to watch me put in hard work and dedication and walk that stage in less than 3 years. I will make difficult sacrifices in these next three years but they will all be for the greater good of our lives. And my hopes and prayers are that my children will see me do it and know that they can achieve this too. One of the things I am most looking forward to is being able to assist with younger generations getting into the radiology field. Letting them know that there is so much more in the medical field than being a doctor or a nurse. Giving them the tools and necessary education to be able to make an informed decision at a young age about what they want to do when they get older. Helping them to understand that they can do whatever they put their minds to. I also want to create my own scholarship for non-traditional learners with kids. I want to help another parent who decides that life the way it is just isn't cutting it. And when they make that difficult decision to go back to school to pursue their dreams, my scholarship will be waiting for them.

What I find most challenging about the combination between being an adult student learner and single mother is the lack of time. There seems to not be enough time in the day. I decided to finally go back to school to pursue my degree and career as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer with two kids (6 and 9) at the age of 33. Between working two jobs to stay afloat on the mortgage and other bills, going to class, studying, still being active in my church, and managing to give enough attention and time to my children, it is tiring. Unfortunately, many medical programs are not created for the adult learning parent who has decided to shift their life and the lives of their children and it is very difficult to completely alter your schedule and still show up in full capacity. I had to quit my full time corporate job to attend school and take a huge pay cut. I now work hourly jobs to sustain the bills and to still be able to show up for my kids in the way I need to. However, the blessing in it is that I am getting the patient and radiology experience I need in these roles. I am dedicated to obtaining this degree but truly obtaining a career that will allow me to have a better work life balance, a career that I love, more money, and a career that my children can be proud of. This scholarship would help me tremendously as paying for school or going into debt to pay for school would not be an issue for me with scholarship money. When I graduated from high school I had no clue what I wanted to do. I had no clue that other jobs in the medical field even existed outside of being a nurse or a doctor. I wasn't educated enough to make an informed decision. This scholarship will not only allow me to pay for school, but this scholarship will allow me to set the tone for my family and the generations after. My kids will be able to see that this is doable no matter what stage of life they are in. I will be able to sit down and have a conversation with my children about their goals as my son already knows he wants to be in the medical field. I will be able to give them the insight they need on making informed decisions about their education and career and I will be able to assist them with more information on getting scholarships and grants which is something I did not have either. This scholarship would assist in also paving the way for my career as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. My goal is to become a neuro or cardiac sonographer which currently in the state of Virginia there is a shortage. This scholarship would assist in financially getting me through the program, but also moving me one step closer to being able to make a difference in the medical field all together. I have wanted this for 10 years. I did the work and got into a program as the only adult learner as I am in classes with recent high school graduates. I would be the first Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in my family as well. So this scholarship is going to help me not only pave the way for future generations, but to also break down the barriers within my family as one of the only family members in the medical field. All in all, I would benefit from this scholarship but so would my children, their children, and the patients whose lives I would have the privilege of impacting.

The current challenge that I am facing as a single mom in college is the balance of it all while also having to worry about how I am going to pay for school and my bills. I think us as women, having to choose between elevating ourselves for our children and still being able to be present with all the demands of taking care of the kids and the bills and everything else that comes along is hard. My goal is providing a better life for my children and I, but often times the challenge of money and time play a huge role in being able to do that. What I learned that shaped my passion for this career in Sonography is that we have the power to cultivate the life we want. Is it hard? Absolutely! However, it is important for our kids to see us work through the hard things. I want a career that is flexible, pays well, and that allows me to be independent while still impacting the lives of others. Most importantly, I want a career that makes my children proud and that I can be proud of everyday. I think it's important to have a job that you don't mind getting up for in the morning. I also believe in going after what you believe should be yours. I have wanted this career for about ten years now but was too afraid to pursue as a result of the fear of failure. I also did not want to be in a position where I was feeling like I was putting anything before my kids. I went through a tough divorce that also shaped my understanding of the purpose of having your own. What I learned is that my kids depend on me to be the best version of myself that I can be. Feeling unfulfilled in my current career was not the best version of me. So, I decided to make a change. My long-term goal for this career is to retire from it, but to also work my way up so that I am able to teach other moms in the field of sonography. I want to eventually open up my own ultrasound clinic as well. The field of ultrasound is a predominantly white female field. I am hoping to help break the barriers of that and add to the field by introducing young black girls and boys to this field as well. This was not something we were taught about or even knew existed growing up. I think representation matters and children need to know that there is more to the medical field than just being a doctor or nurse.