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Brittni Hollis

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Finalist

Bio

I'm a current MPA Graduate student who works full-time and is a full-time mom. It took me years to go back to college because of my fear of failing. My undergraduate experience was not the textbook college story we always think of when applications and scholarships are discussed. Now, as a working mother and wife, I have different challenges to navigate as I try to complete my degree. I also am a young stroke survivor, so I have decided to take one course at a time in hopes that I do not stress myself out too much. It's taken me a while to get to the halfway point of my degree, but I am determined to finish! I have worked at a Community College for the past 9 years helping student fulfill their dream of completing a degree. Most of my students are also first generation, so I feel honored to be able to help them navigate a process that was once so foreign to me. One day I hope to open my own non-profit organization that can assist families from all walks of life with the college process from beginning to end.

Education

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Master's degree program
2021 - 2022
  • Majors:
    • Public Administration

The University of Texas at Austin

Bachelor's degree program
2003 - 2008
  • Majors:
    • Sociology
  • Minors:
    • Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis
    • Criminology

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school

    • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Research and Investigation

    • Dream career goals:

      Company Founder

    • Department Coordinator

      Tarrant County College
      2013 – Present11 years

    • Admissions Counselor

      Texas Wesleyan University
      2011 – 20132 years

    • Program Coordinator

      Trinity University
      2008 – 20113 years

    Sports

    Track & Field

    Varsity
    1999 – 20034 years

    Awards

    • State Qualifier x2
    • Regional Champion

    Basketball

    Varsity
    1999 – 20034 years

    Awards

    • Defensive Player of the Year

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    REVIVAL Scholarship
    My life as a parent was almost cut short when I had a stroke six weeks after my daughter was born. While I was fighting for my life in the ICU, she was just getting started with hers. During my recovery, she has had to watch me get help with walking, eating, and bathing, and has seen me take up to 24 pills a day. Now, at the age of four, she gets to watch me get ready for work on my own, make her dinner, and do my homework at night as I prepare her for bedtime. Because of my stroke, I hesitated to go back to school because I lost my memory and ability to know the correct words to use while speaking. I was embarrassed and felt like I could never be the person I was before my brain injury. My daughter changed all that. She encouraged me to not give up because she saw me as her superhero. She saw me as a survivor and not the victim I felt I was. She helps me remember when I forget and keeps me going when I get tired. When I talk about school it makes her interested in college. Even at the age of four, she has declared what university she plans on attending and what career path she wants to take, all because she wants to take care of me for the rest of her life. I want to continue my journey in higher education because I want to show her that no matter the obstacle, with encouragement, faith, and hard work, as women we can make a difference in the world. I know that completing my degree will allow me to advance at work, but more importantly, it sets an example for my daughter. So while my stroke almost took me from her as an infant, it has now bought us together in a way I could have never imagined. I know that there is a plan and a purpose for me to still be here and impact my daughter and my community. I want to continue to help students and their families learn about the college process and assist them through the hurdles and challenges my family and I faced in my undergraduate years. Even though I am currently only taking one class at a time, I know when I walk across the stage, unassisted, it will be the most rewarding experience for both me and my daughter.