Suha K., a mother of two originally from Palestine and raised in Baghdad, Iraq, has been a model of dedication throughout her scholastic journey. As a child, she experienced educational disruption and lived as a refugee due to the war in Iraq, coming to the US in 2010. When she arrived, she faced the double challenge of catching up on her missed education while learning in English, a language she did not yet know. She essentially started from scratch and eventually earned a GED. After three semesters, she completed the ESOL Program at ACC. She is now taking prerequisite courses with the goal of entering the Radiology Program and building a long-term healthcare career. Reflecting on her experience in the ESOL program, Suha says, “Before taking ESOL, I felt lost and unsure…but now I feel confident because I learned how to improve my skills with my professors’ guidance.” Through ESOL classes, Suha has strengthened her academic reading, writing, and communication skills — gains that now support her in her courses and everyday life. Suha’s former ESOL instructor, Professor Awadallah, noted that Suha is “a very motivated student who has taken many classes in our department and also made extensive use of our tutors [at the ACC Learning Lab] throughout the process.” Whether helping a friend navigate an important appointment or preparing for her future career, Suha demonstrates how persistence and dedicated effort can lead to both improved self-confidence and new opportunities. She explains, “I take my studying VERY seriously. In the end, it’s my future, and only I can control who I am going to become.” Suha will be a Student Speaker at the National Adult Education Honor Society (NAEHS) Induction Ceremony at Eastview Campus at 6:30 pm on May 7th. All are welcome to attend.