Graduate Profile: Suzanne Powell, 2009 Graduate at Dallas
Suzanne Powell at Graduation
No one in Suzanne Powell’s family, including her four siblings, had ever finished high school. As a senior in high school, Suzanne herself missed some class time. But after completing an alternative program and making up all of her missed hours, Suzanne was told that she could be a part of the graduation ceremony for her high school class. So she ordered her cap and gown. But when the time came to pick them up, the high school secretary informed her that she was ineligible to participate in the ceremony. Devastated, Suzanne nonetheless let the issue drop and did not attend the graduation. But she did not let this incident diminish her enthusiasm for learning or ultimately pursuing her dreams and goals.
Some years later, after working full-time at her job as a Medical Claims Representative with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Suzanne began attending Remington College – Dallas Campus at night, as a Medical Insurance and Coding (MIC) student. After classes, she would return home to spend whatever quality time she could with her husband and two children. Yet even with her exhausting schedule, Suzanne excelled at the College, making the honor role and achieving perfect attendance. Inspired by her success, she plans to become a medical biller (in the short term) and apply to a nursing school or pursue a Business Administration degree beginning in January 2010.
Says Suzanne, “I had tried to return to school on many occasions over the past 10 years but never followed through or finished. Having a young family and financial commitments, the effort seemed to be too hard, and the final result too far away. But when I came to Remington College, the faculty was warm and caring, and I felt a sense of commitment to them to see it through. Now, I’m even encouraging my husband to return to school. I’ve proven to myself that I have the drive to succeed, and I’m eager to continue on and pursue my ultimate dream.”
“Suzanne embodies every good thing that we want to see our students achieve,” says Dallas Campus Career Services Representative Renee Dowhaniuk. And she is well on her way, having officially graduated with her Medical Insurance and Coding classmates – complete with cap and gown – on October 15, 2009.
