When Hannah was 17, she learned that she was pregnant. She was forced to drop out of high school, and during her pregnancy, she experienced homelessness—something that would continue for the next five years. But Hannah’s perseverance and tenacity to achieve a better life for herself and her family led her to continue her studies and eventually earn her GED.

She soon discovered a passion for special education and served the Burlington School District as a paraeducator for the next ten years.

During those years, she was able to rekindle her relationship with her estranged father. But too soon, he passed away. The loss provoked a sense of urgency to do something more with her life. According to Hannah, “His motto for life was, ‘You don’t get anywhere without taking risks.’ So, I decided to take the biggest risk and gamble on myself.”

Hannah enrolled as an undergraduate student in the College of Education & Social Services’ Special Education program. She received a scholarship that helped her get her foot in the door—giving her an opportunity she never thought was possible.

"I didn’t feel like I belonged."

Adjusting to the life of an undergraduate student while being a single mother of two was a challenge at first. Reflecting on those first few semesters, Hannah says, “Most of the people I was around were teenagers, and I felt rusty. I didn’t feel like I belonged.” 

But she quickly found an advocate in her advisor, Jennifer Hurley. Jen believed in Hannah and provided guidance and vital accommodations to help the first-generation college student find her footing.

With that support, Hannah started to flourish. She found a community of friends in her Early Special Education and Early Education cohorts. She saw that her perspective and experiences added important context to discussions, and her insight was appreciated by her peers. Though there were bumps along the way, Hannah was on track to graduate in the spring of 2024.

But still, Hannah felt like she could do more. She was excited to apply for the Speech-Language Pathology graduate program in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences but knew that it was a competitive program. 

Again, she took a leap of faith—and it paid off. After graduation, she learned that she had been accepted. Hannah’s first thought upon hearing the news was, “I made it.”

People who want a better life deserve the chance

Today, Hannah is finishing her first year as a graduate student. Looking ahead to her future, she hopes to become a Speech-Language Pathologist and work in local school districts. “My goal is to take care of my kids on a single income, to own a home, and to give back to my community.”

She attributes so much of her success to the donors who gave her that first chance. “I would never have been able to do this without the scholarship I received. Higher education wouldn't have been accessible; graduation wouldn't have been possible. And that would have been a disadvantage for my children. They deserve to have a better life than I had.”

She has seen the way her college experience has affected her children. Professors allowed her kids to come to class with her when childcare didn’t line up with her school schedule. Being exposed to the world of higher education has shown them that they can dream big too—just like their mom. They are already thinking about their own futures, without the same limitations Hannah felt growing up.

Hannah knows that access to education can dramatically change people’s lives. No matter their circumstances, people who want a better life deserve the chance. “I wanted to come here to advocate for more people like me.”

Take Action

Though we have had a successful end to our official Summer of Scholarships, you are more than welcome to join the many who are supporting UVM students with a scholarship gift. 

You can also read three more stories (and watch three videos) of current UVM students who have had their lives changed by donor-funded scholarships:

• Anka Delos Reyes '28

• Ginger Larson '28

• Andrew Bowen '15