Wanda

For decades, Wanda wanted to finish what she started and earn her college degree.

Her journey began shortly after graduating from Lucy Flower Vocational High School, when she enrolled at Loop Junior College, now Harold Washington College. She later transferred to Kennedy-King College, where she continued taking classes while raising her daughter and working.

But life kept getting in the way. Wanda faced serious health challenges, became a single parent, and spent years caring for her mother. She also worked as a music director at a church and performed and worked with several Chicago theaters. Through it all, she continued returning to school whenever she could.

“I always had this hankering that I was going to finish my degree,” Wanda said. “I’m going to finish this thing no matter how.”

In 2025, Wanda decided it was finally time. She enrolled at Olive-Harvey College just two weeks before classes started, expecting she still had years of classes ahead of her. After reviewing her credits, an Olive-Harvey advisor told Wanda she needed just two classes to earn her associate degree: a diversity course and a math course.

“I stood there and cried,” she said.

Wanda completed her remaining courses, including math at Kennedy-King, where she took advantage of tutoring three days a week. She credits the tutors with helping her succeed in a subject she didn’t expect to master.

“I didn’t ever think I could get an ‘A’ in math,” Wanda said. “But I did.”

She also found encouragement from Olive-Harvey advisor Angelia Carter, who supported Wanda when she felt overwhelmed and reminded her how close she was to reaching her goal.

Through City Colleges’ Partners in Education program with the Chicago Housing Authority, Wanda also received support to cover her tuition and books. With those resources and the encouragement of City Colleges staff, she graduated from Kennedy-King College in May 2026 with her associate degree.

Now, Wanda is a full-time student at Roosevelt University as she works toward her bachelor’s degree. She hopes to eventually pursue a career in arts administration, with interests in business and real estate.

After everything it took to earn her associate degree, Wanda sees her education differently than she did when she first began her journey.

“I really see it as a pathway and a key out of poverty and just a key to advance oneself in this world,” she said.

Her message to other students is simple: Keep going, even when the journey isn’t easy.

For Wanda, earning her degree was proof that even decades later, her goal was still worth pursuing.