OASES scholarship students making the most of second chances

Nontraditional students juggle a variety of challenges, but a common theme at the recent OASES scholarship luncheon was that education affords opportunity.

Student speakers at the luncheon took different paths to reach UNC Charlotte, but they all expressed their appreciation for a second chance to pursue their dreams of a college degree. The Office of Adult Students and Evening Services (OASES) provides academic support services for such nontraditional students.

Galyna Pektas left the Ukraine five years ago with “one suitcase, a few hundred dollars and a heart full of dreams, hopes and a belief in a brighter future.”

Attending high school in the Ukraine was more than a decade ago, but Pektas knew education was vital to her future. She began by enrolling at Central Piedmont Community College and then transferred to UNC Charlotte. A senior majoring in finance and accounting, Pektas plans to pursue a Master of Accountancy at UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business.

“I am determined to get my diploma, to be successful and to do well in life,” said Pektas, a mother of a 7-month-old child. “As an adult, I made the decision to go back to school, but no one cancels your responsibilities. That’s why it takes a lot of courage to jump into a student life … I would like to say thanks to all the scholarship donors for giving us the freedom of getting an education without sacrificing the financial well-being of our families.”

Computer science major Adam Hipp noted his first attempt at college was marked by a lack of motivation and preparedness to succeed. He left college after his freshman year, and for the next 10 years, he undertook “a revolving door of jobs.” Unhappy with his life’s direction, he completed a two-year degree in nuclear medicine technology, but the job market seemingly disappeared.

After years of talking about getting a bachelor’s degree, Hipp decided to move forward. A month before classes started, he learned he and his girlfriend were going to have a child. Rather than postpone college again, Hipp stayed the course, with the support of his girlfriend and family. One of his initial classes was Java programming.

“I entered my first weekend wondering if computer science was a mistake, but I joined a great study group, and we worked hard to make sure everyone succeeded,” Hipp stated.

A career code questionnaire given to members of a computer science club proved influential; results indicated that bioinformatics was a possible job direction.

“For the first time in my life, I knew what path I needed to take,” said Hipp. “I get to use cutting-edge technology to explore my passion for biology. It was the perfect fit for my skills and interests.”

He looks forward to completing his degree in fall 2019, and he is grateful to OASES donors and his personal support system. Scholarships from the McCormack Rotary and Osher Foundation have helped “alleviate some of the financial stress I have encountered as an adult student with a baby girl.”

Laura Jackson, a third student speaker, delivered her remarks as a letter to her younger self.

“You’re only 18, and you are convinced you have life figured out, but you have no idea. The plans you made aren’t going to go as you envisioned … You’re going to accomplish so many great things despite the challenges along the way.”

Jackson recounted how she would marry Charlie, who joined the U.S. Army and served a deployment during Desert Storm. After eight years of service, he would be honorably discharged. The couple would go one to have three children Braxton, Brooke and Bailee. Shortly after the birth of their youngest, Charlie was diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

Twenty-six years later, after struggling to make sense of Charlie’s diagnosis and raising three children who are now in college, Jackson is a senior majoring in social work.

“What happened to earning a degree in hospitality management?” Jackson asked in her letter to her younger self. “Well, it’s simple because after 18 years in hotel sales, you’ll enter a second career that will allow you to serve others in a unique way. Your life experiences will inspire you to work with veterans and their families – your hope is to help as many families as you can avoid the challenges you experienced.”

For Jackson, there is no more starting over. Future opportunities exist as a result of a UNC Charlotte degree, and because of OASES scholarship benefactors.

Click here to view a list of 2018 OASES scholarship recipients.

Photo (inset) Laura Jackson, center, with fellow OASES scholarship recipient Tina Riddle, left, and Angela Sepulveda.