From taking her first step toward earning a high school equivalency degree (HSED) to reaching multiple academic milestones, Tia’s journey at Plaza College is a meaningful story of perseverance, personal growth, and confidence in herself and her goals. She went on to complete her associate degree, earn her bachelor’s degree, and is now enrolled in Plaza College’s Master’s in Healthcare Administration program. Each milestone reinforced her drive to keep pursuing the future she wanted.
“I realized this was the moment to finally start accomplishing goals I had been carrying for years but never had space to pursue.”
Like so many others, Tia experienced how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped daily life and priorities. During this slower, uncertain time, she found the space to reflect on what she truly wanted for her future. Education had always mattered to her, but balancing the demands of work and family meant her goals were often put on hold. As she looked ahead, Tia realized she was ready to return to school and invest in herself. With that decision, she began her educational journey at Plaza College by earning her HSED through college credits.
Plaza’s Career Pathways program gave Tia the opportunity to take the next step in a practical and empowering way, helping her turn long-postponed goals into a new path toward success.
“I knew the world is constantly changing – especially in healthcare – and I wanted to be fully armed with education and skills so it would be harder for [people] to tell me, ‘You’re not qualified’ or ‘You need more.’ ”
A defining moment came when Tia paused to reflect on just how far she had come — starting from earning her high school equivalency degree and steadily working her way through each academic milestone, she had conquered goals that once felt out of reach. From completing her HSED to finishing college-level degrees, every passed course and completed semester confirmed that her success was not a matter of luck, but the result of her own discipline, determination, and achievements.
“I realized I wasn’t just surviving school, I was succeeding in it.”
Throughout her time at Plaza, Tia found that her classroom learning consistently connected to real-world professional experiences. Courses in healthcare management, leadership, ethics, and operations directly shaped how she approached her work, helping her think more strategically and better understand the broader healthcare system. Along the way, the support of Plaza College’s faculty, advisors, and staff played a vital role in her success—they saw her not just as a student, but as a whole person with real responsibilities and goals.
As she continues her academic journey, Tia hopes her story inspires future Plaza students to take that first step toward achieving their own goals.
“It’s never too late to start, and once you do, you’re capable of more than you think.”
She believes that progress matters more than timing, and that with consistency, support, and self-belief, small steps can lead to achievements greater than students ever imagined.
