Hometown: Oakland, MD

Major: Teacher Education: Elementary Education

Future Plans: Continue my education at Frostburg State University this fall to complete my degree in Elementary and Middle School Education.

In her own words:

On what made her pursue a career in teacher education: I decided to pursue a degree in Elementary Education to inspire future generations and show them they are capable of achieving their dreams. I’ve always wanted to be an elementary school teacher since I was very young.

On how attending GC worked to her advantage: Through being a county resident, I have been able to attend Garrett College with a significant reduction of stress. I have been able to attend college for my first two years with my main costs being through scholarships, which I am very grateful for. I have also completed many classes that will benefit me in the future whenever I am attending Frostburg State University.

On helping her get where she is today: I would like to give a shout-out to Dr. John Taylor. Throughout my educational journey at Garrett College, he has been there to support me along the way. Through taking his classes, I have learned so much, and I cannot thank him enough for everything he has done to help me throughout my time at Garrett College. He has inspired me in many ways through taking his courses, and I will never forget those classes!

On her advice to others considering attending college: Garrett is a great start to a college education, and it allows individuals to begin making connections. Everyone I encountered at GC was always very helpful and cared about my education. I would highly recommend attending GC to other students in the future because the opportunities at Garrett are endless.

Hometown: Barton, MD

Major: Paramedic Studies

Future Plans: I plan to continue working for Allegany County Department of Emergency Services where I hope to gain valuable experience and grow within the department. I would also like to complete my master’s degree in Emergency Management from UMGC that I am currently enrolled in.

In his own words:

On why he chose Garrett College: Garrett College just made sense. The tuition is affordable and my program of interest is highly regarded and nationally accredited. The atmosphere is welcoming and provides students with an excellent opportunity to learn and excel.

On what made him pursue a career in paramedic studies: From my first day on an ambulance, I knew that I have found the career that “clicked” for me. The combination of serving the citizens of the community and being in the medical field was appealing. Pursing a Paramedic Studies degree was a critical step in earning the satisfaction of having a rewarding career in EMS.

On how the paramedic studies program has prepared him for the next step: The program has provided me with the knowledge and skills necessary to earn my National Registry Certification, including real-life scenarios in a lab setting using tools such as Sim Man and iSimulate monitors to better prepare me to provide high quality patient care in my career field.

On helping him get where he is today: I would like to take the time to thank the support instructors that came to the campus throughout our program and shared their knowledge and experiences in the career field. Doing case studies, hearing about experienced paramedics calls throughout their career, and learning from these instructors will hopefully make me a better paramedic. A special thank you to Doug Beitzel, program coordinator, for keeping things organized and Josh Hook for taking on his new role at the college as the lead instructor for the program.

Hometown: Oakland, MD

Major: Cybersecurity

Future Plans: My future plan is to have a family and provide for them the best I can by using the degree I have to do the job to the best of my ability.

In his own words:

On why he chose Garrett College: I chose to attend Garrett College because I have grown up in this area and I thought it would be a great opportunity to jumpstart my career in Cybersecurity.

On how Garrett College has worked to his advantage: Garrett College has allowed me to earn my degree in a affordable manor. I am thankful that Garrett College was close to home so I could work and do my schooling at the same time.

On helping him get where he is today: I would like to thank Ashley Ruby for the internship she had us do. Because of that internship, I have a full-time job in the field of my study.

Hometown: Swanton, MD

Major: Mathematics/Science

Future Plans: I plan to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue my education in a civil engineering program.

In his own words:

On why he chose Garrett College: As a lifelong Garrett County resident, I chose to attend Garrett beginning in September 2020 due to its proximity and affordability. Two of my siblings also attended Garrett, so I was very familiar with the quality of education I would receive.

On how Garrett College worked to his advantage: Even though the last several semesters have been different, the opportunity to learn has still been present. Attending Garrett College has given me an advantage in that it allowed me to continue my education during the pandemic. I would like to thank the faculty for making continued learning possible!

Hometown: Frostburg, MD

Major: Business Administration