"I'm so proud to be a Truman alum."
Before enrolling at Harry S Truman College, Lydia spent years believing that college might not be for her. After a difficult experience at a four-year university, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue cosmetology. She eventually returned to Chicago and worked as a hairstylist for four years, but then realized she wanted a change.
Although she knew she wanted to return to school, anxiety made that difficult. Her experiences in school left her with a deep fear of the classroom. Still, Lydia wanted to explore her options and build a better future for herself.
In 2023, she decided to learn more about Truman, which was just minutes from her home. She visited campus for a tour and enrolled soon after. That decision changed her outlook on education and her life.
At Truman, Lydia connected with Lauren Daley from the college’s Access Center, which coordinates services and accommodations for students with documented disabilities. She learned that help was available to manage her anxiety during exams. Previously, she would study for hours, only to feel so overwhelmed during tests that she couldn’t remember what she’d learned. Her accommodation allowed her to take exams in a private room, helping her earn better test scores.
“It means everything,” she said of the support she received at Truman. “It was literally like the make-or-break of me getting to go back to school and trying to provide a better life for myself.”
Once she found the support she needed, her academic performance improved. She also connected with her TRIO advisor and other staff members, including Director of Career Development Meredith Gallo, Transfer Director Cindy Luk, and Brenda Washington, who encouraged her to continue her education. She balanced school with work as a server and a work-study position with Truman’s Career Development. That role allowed her to build relationships with staff, like Career Services Advisors Suha Jarad and Erin Roth, and help students explore their career options. She also helped run the college’s food pantry, supporting students who needed assistance.
Lydia graduated from Truman in 2025 with an Associate of Arts. Today, she’s majoring in Marketing at UIC with a concentration in digital marketing and promotions.
Lydia shares her Truman experience with others considering college, encouraging them to explore City Colleges as an affordable path toward their goals.
