Student Spotlight: Dawn Samet

Dawn Samet wanted to become a nurse but needed to complete her prerequisites first. So she began taking night classes at College of DuPage in fall 2007.

"Having explored several options for a nursing program, COD is best suited to meet both me and my family's needs," she said.

Samet enrolled full-time in COD's Nursing program. In fall 2010, she received the Illinois Health Improvement Association Scholarship through COD's Foundation to help her with her academic pursuits.

"As a mother of three, every penny attained toward my education is valuable to my family and myself," she said. "This scholarship gives me the opportunity to be proud of attaining it and the chance to continue my education with less financial stress, thanks to the COD Foundation. It is aiding in the completion of the Nursing program at COD, which has been my goal that I have been striving to achieve since beginning my prerequisites."

Samet will earn her associate's degree in 2012 and plans to look for a job while hopefully pursuing a BSN at Northern Illinois University.

"College of DuPage has given me the opportunity to reach my potential through excellent staff, counselers and educators," she said. "Their flexible schedules and excellent resources have allowed me the opportunity to go back to school for a second career. I appreciate how the College tries very hard to work with students with families."

More about the Nursing program