Hello everyone! My name is Heather. I am a first-generation college student in my 30s and, among other things, I am a stroke survivor, Hurricane Katrina survivor, and an Emergency Medical Technician. My higher learning path hasn’t exactly been traditional, but it’s shaped who I am in all the best ways. I've spent years helping people through some of the hardest moments of their lives. That work has taught me a lot about compassion, resilience, and the importance of showing up no matter what. For me, returning to school isn’t just about earning a degree. It’s about using everything I’ve been through to make a real difference.