My name is Candace S. Nixon and I am a Plaza College graduate of the BBA – Management program (2011) and employee of 13 years, now serving as the Director of Student Advisement. Since my start with the college, I have been fortunate enough to witness a number of family members also become Plaza graduates; my younger brother, Eric Ifill; younger sister, Tereesa Ifill; and daughter, Melva-Tyarrah Ifill. My daughter was the fourth person in my family to attend Plaza and mark the start of a second generation of college graduates in our family!
Prior to my start at Plaza, I attended other colleges while working dead-end “jobs” in hopes of obtaining a degree that would land me the “perfect” one. However, through trial and error, school became less of a focus. As a single mother, it was always more important to focus on a suitable income rather than completing school. Once I passed my GED exam in 2007, I finally recognized the true importance of a college degree and a suitable career that would provide longevity and stability. So, in January 2009, I enrolled at Plaza and began my journey to where I am today.
Just when I thought being a mother was the greatest blessing of them all, I was provided the unique opportunity to share my experiences and knowledge with the students I advise. At times, students are constant reminders of where my life started; the fears I felt, the hurdles I overcame, and the rewards that always await me when I believe in myself. It is for that reason that I reference Nelson Mandela’s quote, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, for I know my educational triumphs have not only been a benefit to my family, but continue to have a positive impact on the students I connect with daily.
