2022 Scott Wright Student Essay Contest Winner Katie Conte

How a Professor Changed My View of Community College

My decision to go to college was a difficult one. I was embarrassed of my age, ashamed that I had waited so long to go to school. As a teacher assistant in special education for over fifteen years, I could run a classroom, but needed the degree to do so. I had the desire and capability to do more, but lacked the education for validation. It was this desire that motivated me to go back to school, despite the self-conscious feelings I had. I planned on staying under the radar, doing what I needed to earn my degree, unnoticed. My first education class with Professor Melissa Krieger showed me things were not going to go the way I anticipated.

I had preconceived ideas of what a community college and the professors there were. There is a stigma associated with community colleges, such as subpar education and second-rate professors, I was guilty of believing. My experience has been everything but those things. My first education class showed me how wrong I was to believe in such stereotypes. From my first paper to my personal statement for my capstone class, Professor Krieger has been nothing but supportive. She recognized my experience in education and encouraged me to share it with my classmates. I was not prepared to be an outspoken student, but Professor Krieger has a way of building a person up, helping them to become the person she sees within them. Her kind words, attention to detail, and the time she took to make me feel as though I was special gave me the confidence necessary to speak up.

Professor Krieger shared opportunities to submit my writing. The first opportunity was the Women ReWriting History Contest. With Professor Krieger’s encouragement, I entered and won first place. The next opportunities were the JK Winn Honors and Beacon Conferences. For these, I wrote about the impact of Covid-19 on education and America’s youth. Professor Krieger mentored me and helped edit my paper. I was chosen to present my paper at both conferences. I then submitted it to PTK’s Nota Bene and it was chosen to be published in the 2021 Literary Journal. Professor Krieger then submitted my name to a fellowship opportunity. I was accepted as the lead researcher for the CCAMPIS Student Parent Fellowship. I am grateful to Professor Krieger for all of the opportunities she has afforded me.

Through all of my accomplishments, Professor Krieger has been my cheering section. She attends every award ceremony, speaking engagement, and always reaches out to extend her support. Without her encouragement, I would have stayed in the shadows and may have never realized my full potential. She inspired me to apply for transfer to schools I never dreamed I would be able to. My ideas about community college and what it has to offer have changed dramatically. I am determined to help reduce the stigma of community college and show others the opportunities that a community college professor helped me to see.