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FESP Stories

FESP Stories


My anticipated graduation date is June 2024 and my careers goals are in engineering. I can start off by saying that I love HCC. My experience has been phenomenal, and I love being a student here. It has made my life so much better because my professors and people like my coaches at FESP have helped me in so many ways. I’m able to stay focused on things I want accomplish, have enjoyed workshops to help me with money and learn ways to save. And, just knowing that someone has my back is so reassuring.”

Victoria


“I feel so proud to be a part of FESP. When I was invited to join, I wasn’t sure if I would be a good candidate. Unbeknownst to me, it was a blessing in disguise. I went thought some of the hardest times during the fall of 2021. FESP was there to move me forward and encourage me through my depression. Ezhana was so essential that words could never enough to express how grateful I am to have her as a coach. I am sad it is coming to an end but happy for the experience.”

Casey


“My coach is amazing. She helped me through my toughest time. She helped me with my school situation. Overall, she hears my problem when I am stressed and gives me wonderful feedback. The program is amazing and I had wonderful experience.”

– Jeanette


“The FESP Program serves as a good support for single mothers, who are unaware of resources to make their education journey easier. As a FESP program student, I had the knowledge of the college resources and events I wouldn’t have otherwise. The workshops were all helpful and will be used in my long-term goals. My coach, Ezhana was a great representative of the program. She’s a great motivator and helped me to keep me on track. Her words of encouragement have been a great help in getting me toward the end of my journey at HCC.”

– Tanesha


“In such a short amount of time, this program has helped me tremendously! And for that I am forever grateful. It has also opened my eyes for the future. Katrina is a huge inspiration and hopefully can be my mentor. And let’s not forget about Dean Avant. What an amazing, phenomenal woman. Words cannot express the emotions I feel about her. #grateful. Grateful for you all, thank you!”

– Leola


"FESP supported me to be more motivated and confident in transferring to Southern Connecticut State University. FESP became my community and support system. It was hard transferring at first, but speaking with the FESP staff helped me to reach my goals and prevented me from giving up, because I truly was ready to drop everything. At my four-year school, the sense of community was lacking. The school was larger, and the people weren’t as supportive. It would be so great if there was a FESP on every campus. I didn’t know any resources that were available, and it was even the FESP staff that were able to seek out those resources from me all the way from HCC. FESP is like my family."

-Jessy, student at Southern Connecticut State University in Public Health


“Being a student of HCC and having the opportunity to be a participant of the FESP program is the best thing that happened in my schooling at HCC. The most life changing reason why I feel this way is because of my career coach. She has helped me with creating a professional resume and cover letter that has grabbed many interviewers’ attention and has guided me in the etiquette of interview skills. She also takes time out of her busy schedule to prepare me and give me practice interviews before the "main event." Most importantly, she treats me with respect and goes above and beyond my expectations: she listens, motivates, and encourages me to excel beyond what I ever thought I was capable of accomplishing.”

-Perla, Business Administration student at HCC


“FESP has helped my college experience by helping me find stability.”

-Lucretia, current HCC student


“FESP is my anchor. This program has helped me realize my dreams and goals. It has motivated me to make my goals attainable.”

-Jenny, accepted into UCONN’s engineering program for Fall 2017


“FESP is run by extraordinary people who advocate for us by supporting and encouraging us to complete our goals and strive for bigger goals. They supply us with the knowledge and finances to get to the other side of life’s hurdles. Our success is their success.”

-FESP Participant


“FESP to me is family. This program is my support system to finish school on the right track.”

-Iesha, HCC Communications student


“FESP is important because they keep me motivated. When I am discouraged, I have someone I can reach out to. I am a single mother, and sometimes I just need to talk to someone. FESP is there for me. The financial support is also key to have helped me when I needed it most as I was just laid off work.”

- Arlene, HCC ’17 Graduate


“FESP has helped me figure out how to manage my time and money. They also help me keep my head on straight and focus on my goals. FESP is the reason I've stayed in school. With all their help, I've been able to continue my education and I'm very grateful for everything they offer.”

- FESP Participant


“FESP has helped me begin to achieve my financial and academic goals! They have helped me rebuild and establish my credit by coaching and providing me with the proper necessary resources.”

- Jackie, HCC Business Management student


“When I felt everything was going wrong and I couldn't do anything right, and I wanted to quit, my advisor said I was doing great and told me all the strong positive things she saw in me. She gave me just what I needed to keep going.

“FESP has also helped me financially by getting my car in a state that was safe to drive for my family, and to reliably get me to and from school when it was falling apart.”

- FESP Participant