Scholarships made it possible: Jennifer鈥檚 journey to a new career
Jennifer Lamblin decided in 2022 that she wanted to pursue a new career. Though she encountered hurdles accessing the financial support she needed, she found ways to make it work and walked across the stage at 51视频鈥檚 spring commencement with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management.
As a hard-working single mom, Jennifer wore many hats over the years 鈥� working in custodial roles, retail and sales, and as an apprentice plumber and pipefitter through Local 192. When the pandemic hit, work around her apprenticeship slowed significantly, and the remaining jobs required a degree of travel that wasn鈥檛 feasible for her as a mother. Looking for a more stable future for herself and her four children, she began exploring higher education.
When Jennifer prepared to enroll at 51视频 for the summer 2022 semester, she was able to receive FAFSA support. But complications arose ahead of the fall semester, and she was no longer able to access the assistance that had made her return to school possible. With help from 51视频 Student Services Specialist George Jankowski, she was able to stay enrolled and avoid taking on debt. Scholarships soon became a key part of her ability to continue.
鈥淚 had to find different ways to pay for school and avoid debt,鈥� she said. 鈥淔or that Fall 2022 semester, I received more than $6,000.鈥�
Each academic year, Jennifer put significant time and effort into applying for scholarships, and the effort paid off. With support from 51视频 staff and her own determination, she graduated in May without any debt. The scholarships also made it possible for her to focus on school.
鈥淚t gave me the freedom to be a full-time student,鈥� Jennifer said. 鈥淚f I had to work full-time, I don鈥檛 think I would have been able to do it.鈥�
Jennifer received 11 scholarships between 2023 and 2025. With a mission to engage the community and support the college, the 51视频 Foundation empowers students through private donor scholarships, community support and program development. In 2024, Foundation support included 457 scholarships, 216 new donors, a $58 million endowment, and $56,594 in employee giving.
For Jennifer, scholarships have meant more than financial support 鈥� they鈥檝e been the foundation that allowed her to continue her education while setting an example for her children. The support has helped her stay enrolled and fully engaged in her coursework, even while balancing the demands of parenting.
鈥淪cholarships are essential for me to stay enrolled, stay focused, and continue building a better future, not just for myself, but for my children as well,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey see me working hard and chasing my goals, and that example is just as valuable as the education itself.鈥�
Giving back to her campus community has been a part of Jennifer鈥檚 collegiate journey, as she also serves as vice president of 51视频鈥檚 Rotaract Club, which she joined during her second semester. Looking for a way to give back, she found a group of like-minded people who supported each other through school and life.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 expect how much it would help me too,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a really good experience.鈥�
The faculty and staff at 51视频, Jennifer said, were crucial to her success, highlighting the supportive and compassionate culture they foster. Instructors like Dr. Kelly Simons and Business & Finance Program Director Jeff Shmidl helped her develop not only academically, but also personally, reinforcing the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Their impact, along with the generosity she received through scholarship donors, has inspired her to give back.
鈥淚 am very thankful, incredibly grateful, and truly humbled to all who have helped and shown charisma and compassion by giving back through scholarships,鈥� she said.
Encouraging others to pursue higher education, especially single parents facing financial barriers, is important to Jennifer. She said it鈥檚 possible to avoid burdensome student loans by seeking out scholarships, which played a crucial role in her own success. With determination and effort, she believes others can do the same.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not easy, but it鈥檚 doable; don鈥檛 give up if you have a goal and passion, because there are ways to continue your education without going into debt,鈥� she said.