Suzi

When Suzi arrived in the United States from Cameroon, she was the first in her family to attend college—and she faced the challenge of learning English while starting a new life on her own.

Suzi found her footing and the support she was looking for at her closest City College, Harry S Truman. She began as an English as a Second Language (ESL) student before enrolling as a credit student to study accounting.

“My time at Truman was fundamental, both academically and personally,” she said. “The professors were knowledgeable and approachable, and the advisors—especially the TRIO team—were incredibly helpful in guiding me through my academic journey.”

Professors like Dr. Chu who wrote recommendation letters for Suzi and gave her the confidence to succeed.

“At first, I was afraid because their standards were so high,” she recalled. “But they helped me grow in ways I never imagined.”

Suzi’s perseverance paid off. She earned an Associate of Arts degree, with a focus on Accounting, became involved in leadership workshops, and was selected as a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar, one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarships in the nation.

“The scholarship validated my hard work and gave me the confidence to pursue bigger dreams,” Suzi said.

With the support of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation—and additional scholarships—Suzi transferred to Northeastern Illinois University, where she is now pursuing her bachelor’s degree in accounting. Her courses at Truman with a focus on precision and critical thinking have her prepared to reach her goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). One day, she hopes to continue to graduate school.

For Suzi, Truman College was more than just a place to study; it was a community she needed and relied on.

“Truman was patient with me,” she said. “The diversity, the resources, and the support made me feel like I belonged. Truman also transformed me and gave me the confidence to pursue bigger dreams.”

Her advice to other students, especially those learning English for the first time, is simple: be patient and persevere.

“Learning English is not easy, but give yourself time,” she said. “If you don’t give up, opportunities will come.”

Today, Suzi is living proof of that message. From her first ESL class to her path toward becoming a CPA, she’s building a future filled with possibility.