“For someone to look at me and let me know they would be there to help was such a great feeling. I knew I belonged.”
"I dropped out of high school when my mom got sick, and had been working dead end jobs ever since. I was at a low point and knew if I wanted more I would need my degree. I searched online for GED programs, but I aged out of all except Monroe," Michelle Melendez said.
"Monroe was so helpful right from the beginning. I was told that regardless of what happened before, what I am doing now matters and the past doesn’t make you who you are. For someone to look at me and let me know they would be there to help was such a great feeling. I knew I belonged.”
Michelle entered Monroe's Career Pathways Program, receiving her GED and beginning her associate degree in accounting. With her high school equivalency in hand, she was able to land a job as a teller at TD Bank.
"When I first got to Monroe, I wasn’t sure I was cut out for school. I had a nagging feeling I wasn’t good enough. But Monroe is the champion for the underdog and they gave me that push I needed to move forward.
"Monroe has been amazing and everyone is so helpful. From designing a program to fit around my work schedule to understanding when and where my final exams are, Monroe has made going back to college easy," says Michelle.
Looking ahead, Michelle is looking forward to continuing her education at Monroe, earning her bachelor's degree in accounting, and passing the CPA exam. "My dream is to work at one of the top four accounting firms," she says.
"Like a piece of a puzzle, Monroe is the perfect fit for me. Prior to Monroe, I felt there was something missing. Going to Monroe, everything finally felt like it fit into place. Monroe is a college that cares."
