What first motivated you to enroll at Penn State Altoona, and what do you remember most about that moment in your life?
Since my high school days, I had always dreamed of getting a college education, but I didn’t really know how to pursue it or where to begin. One day, almost by chance, a friend told me about Penn State Altoona’s equal opportunity program and gave me the name of the director. I remember feeling nervous and uncertain, but I gathered my courage and made the call. That small act—picking up the phone despite my fear—became the first step toward a future I had only imagined for myself.
You’ve described yourself as a “late bloomer.” How did returning to school as an adult student shape your experience and perspective as a learner?
Returning to school as an adult student was both challenging and empowering. My college experience looked very different from that of traditional students. I was working full-time and raising my daughter as a single mother, so there wasn’t much time for campus activities or social life. In many ways, I felt outside the typical college experience.
But that experience strengthened something important within me. It reinforced my belief in self-reliance and perseverance. I understood that if I wanted to move forward, I would have to work harder, stay focused, and keep pushing forward no matter the obstacles.
How did programs like the equal opportunity funding initiative make it possible for you to pursue your education?
The equal opportunity program made an incredible difference in my life. My first year of college ended up being tuition-free, and that support gave me the confidence to begin. Without that initial opportunity, I’m not sure I would have had the courage to take the first step. It opened the door for me and allowed me to see that higher education was truly within reach.
You mentioned that Mrs. Eudora Gore played an important role in your journey. Can you share more about her influence and the impact she had on you as a student?
That question still brings me to tears. Mrs. Eudora Gore had the authority to decide whether I would receive the help I needed, and she chose to believe in me. She was thoughtful, caring, and incredibly kind. At the same time, she challenged me. She encouraged me to prepare myself fully for the responsibilities of becoming a college student. Her belief in my potential gave me the confidence to believe in myself.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced as a full-time working single mother while pursuing your degree, and how did you overcome them?
Time was my greatest challenge. Once my daughter was tucked into bed for the night, my school day began. It was not unusual for me to study from 10:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. Money was also very tight. I even remember asking my church for help to purchase additional reading materials that instructors recommended. Those years required discipline, sacrifice, and faith—but I was determined to finish what I had started.
Looking back, how did your time at Penn State Altoona help prepare you for your later work in public service and community leadership?
After earning my associate of arts degree at Altoona and completing my bachelor’s degree at University Park, I had the privilege of returning to Penn State Altoona as an administrator in Continuing and Distance Education. It was my first professional position.
In that role, I worked closely with community activists and leaders in public service. Watching their dedication to civic engagement helped shape my own understanding of leadership and community responsibility. Those experiences played a significant role in guiding my future work in public service.
You’ve achieved several “firsts” throughout your career. Which of those milestones feels most meaningful to you today, and why?
One of the most meaningful milestones in my life has been being elected by the voters of Cumberland County to serve on the Pennsylvania Democratic Party State Committee. In this rural and suburban region of Pennsylvania, I remain the first—and still the only—Black person elected countywide to serve at this level of governance.
I have been reelected four times to four-year terms, and during that time I’ve been honored with the trust of party leadership. I currently serve as Secretary of the State Committee and Treasurer of the South Central Regional Caucus. This achievement is especially meaningful when I reflect on the past. There was once a time when I could not even attend meetings of my own political party because they were held in places that barred people of color from entering.
Your career has spanned public service, political leadership, and ministry. How have those different roles shaped your commitment to serving others?
My commitment to service began early in life. As the oldest child in my family, I learned responsibility at a young age. I’m also the daughter of a barber, and my father’s barbershop was a gathering place where community members and political leaders often met and talked.
Watching those conversations unfold gave me an early understanding of leadership and civic engagement. Over time, that foundation led me into public service, then political leadership, and eventually professional ministry and the creation of her own event planning business, GREAT Celebrations, LLC, and Legacy Income Lab that teaches online skills to earn income.. Each step has been another expression of the same calling—to serve others and help strengthen the community.
You’ve spoken about the importance of the co-generation movement. What lessons from your own life do you hope younger generations will take from your story?
The most important lesson is simple: be kind. Don’t make assumptions about people, and give individuals of all ages the opportunity to be heard. Stay open to learning, listen deeply, and engage across generations.
Respect your elders. There is no substitute for lived experience, and there is great wisdom to be gained from those who have walked the road before us.
What message would you share with students today—especially those who may feel it’s too late to pursue their education or their goals?
For traditional students, I would say: appreciate the opportunities that institutions like Penn State Altoona offer—not only academically but socially as well. If you’re shy, challenge yourself to get involved. Join something. Participate. Those experiences become part of the learning journey.
And for those who feel it may be too late to pursue their education or their dreams, I would offer this encouragement: it is never too late to begin. Sometimes the most important step is simply finding the courage to start—just as I did with one phone call many years ago.
