I am one of those kids who fell through the cracks in high school. And no one really seemed to care. I credit my sense of not giving up to growing up on the east side of Indianapolis. After struggling, I finally graduated from Tech High School in 1980. I immediately jumped into the work force. I wanted to go to college but my priority at that time was to get out on my own and start my life.
So that is what I did. I was the first one in my family to graduate high school, so I had already exceeded everyone's expectations. Still, I wanted more, but life always seemed to get in my way. As I started my family, I still had the longing of wanting a degree. I made my way to two larger state colleges in Indianapolis over the years, but was so overwhelmed by their enrollment process that I gave up. I did not have role models or mentors to guide me so giving up on a college education was easy for me to do. But the desire to get a degree was still in my heart.
As my life continued, I found myself in a business environment. I was somewhat successful but I still wanted to go to school. I wanted that degree. By this time I was a single mother with two children. I assumed it would be impossible for me to gain a college education. Nonetheless, I still wanted to set an example for my children. I wanted them to see how important a college education is. I never wanted them to experience my struggles with missed opportunities due to not having an education.
I stumbled my way into the University of Indianapolis in 2000 and thanks to the encouragement of a wonderful receptionist in the School for Adult Learning, I enrolled in the Liberal Studies program. I had all the typical apprehensions about “going back to school.” The receptionist held my hand and walked me through the enrollment process. Until August 2003, I would only take a class sporadically, just trying to get my feet wet. I was still trying to figure out how I would do this. With encouragement from the University of Indianapolis staff, I got serious and started taking classes consistently. I never looked back.
I found the environment at the University of Indianapolis to be supportive and nurturing. The flexibility of the SAL classes allowed me to work full time. During this time I was also able to blend together a new family that involved a young daughter and another teenage son. I took both traditional and accelerated classes. The accelerated classes were by far my favorite. The classes in the adult program were geared towards my busy life. They also take into account the way adults learn. I loved my instructors who all had experience in the real world. I loved being in a classroom that has constant interaction between teacher and student and not sitting anonymously in a lecture hall. I loved having a name and not being just a number. My critical thinking skills were developed, as well as my self-confidence and self-esteem. I was given the tools and skills needed to benefit any employer.
I graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2006. The benefits of my degree were seen immediately. One year ago I was an administrative assistant. Today I am Director of Procurement Services for the same employer. I look forward to a long and successful career. I also have the joy of knowing that I accomplished my goal. I realized a dream. It has been a long road and by no means an easy one. I was lucky enough to find my way to the University of Indianapolis and the wonderful environment that exists here.
Kimberly Brinkley, Class of '06
School for Adult Learning
University of Indianapolis
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