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Julie DeJohn returned to 麻豆映画传媒 during the summer 2021 session to finish what she started nearly 30 years ago, and a new program gave her the confidence she needed to be successful.听

As a new student, DeJohn was paired with a conductor through the MCC Express program. Conductors aim at helping students feel comfortable throughout their college journey so they get the most out of their college experience.听

鈥淚鈥檓 glad I took my first classes over the summer. It really did prepare me for fall because it was so fast paced,鈥� DeJohn said. 鈥淚 had to be committed to getting my homework done and learning how to balance life, work and school.鈥澨�

DeJohn attended Kent Skills Center out of high school where she earned a certificate in the medical secretary program. Working full-time, she went on to study business at Davenport University, but as she and her husband started their family, she was unable to finish her degree and those credits no longer were valid.听

In addition to having not been a student for many years, DeJohn was also learning how to use new technology while taking online classes.听

鈥淚 have to give credit to the staff at MCC. I could not be more proud of the college and how they did things,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 never felt alone, even though I was at home.听

鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 sure how I would do having not been in school for so long. My instructors were fabulous. They share their personal stories and make you feel like you鈥檙e really connected,鈥� she said.听

鈥淭he conductors were there for me, too. Even if I didn鈥檛 need their support, I knew they were there,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t gave me a lot of confidence knowing I had that support.鈥澨�

The 55-year-old from Stanton said she hadn鈥檛 really planned to return to college, but started to think about it when her children started making college visits.听

鈥淲hen we started making college visits I thought, I wish I could have experienced this,鈥� she said. 鈥淥nce they were involved in college, I saw how much they were learning and thought about how much I missed learning.鈥澨�

DeJohn said with three children in college, she just couldn鈥檛 go into debt pursue her own college education. However, when she heard about the Michigan Reconnect program, she thought she would take a chance and apply. The program is for Michigan residents aged 25 or older who have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent but have not earned a college credential. It helps pay the costs of tuition or training for eligible adults who want to pursue an associate degree or skills certificate.听

鈥淚 applied for Michigan Reconnect and was accepted,鈥� she said.听听

DeJohn has worked as an accounting assistant at a local family-owned business for 22 years, and is now taking classes at MCC to earn an associate degree in accounting.听

鈥淢y kids are in college and getting ready to graduate soon,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen I received the scholarship, I thought what鈥檚 stopping me now?听

鈥淚t all fell into place,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 learned that your dreams can come true if you try.鈥澨�

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Media contact:
Shelly Springborn
Director of Communications and Public Relations
shellys@montcalm.edu
989-560-0833