Power of YOU

Student Stories

As these Saint Paul College students have discovered, a college degree is closer than you might think. The innovative new Power of YOU program makes the first two years of college tuition–free for qualifying students.

Harrison Jones graduated from Highland Park Senior High in St. Paul in 2006 and didn't expect to go to college. But because of the Power of YOU^TM, he enrolled at Saint Paul College. He didn't think he'd be able to finish the two–year program. "To be honest, I didn't think I'd even be able to finish the first year," he admits. "I had a lot of things going on in my life that I didn't know how to deal with, and I had many thoughts about quitting. But I got a lot of support from the staff. They helped me a lot." Jones will eventually transfer to the University of Minnesota into the new Youth Studies program, and he plans to eventually work with young people in various settings. That, too, has been an unexpected development. One of the only work–study jobs available when Jones started was in the on–campus child care center; although he wasn't sure if it was a good fit, he took the job. "It took me a while to get used to it, but now I really like it," he says. "I like seeing how the kids grow and develop, how they learn new things and start to interact with each other."

Felicia Hardy changed her educational plans after attending Saint Paul College through the Power of YOU^TM program. She had planned on running her own business, but realized once she started classes that she's not cut out for management. "Now I'm in Business Administration," Hardy says. "I'm a doer, not a manager. I like to be busy and to get things done." The next item on Hardy's to–do list is to decide what to do after she graduates this spring. "I'd like to transfer to Metro State," she says. "Otherwise, I can find a job and work full–time." Both are options that Hardy wouldn't have had without the help of Power of YOU — which is why she's quick to recommend the program to friends and family. "It gives you so many opportunities," she says. "Even if you think you're not college material, the Power of YOU gives you a lot of help and support, and the financial aid you need to get started."

For Ethiopian native Wazira Ali, the Power of YOU program has helped tremendously — and not just by covering tuition at Saint Paul College both last year and this year. "The Power of YOU people have been great," she adds. "When I had questions and wanted to change my major, Kathleen Gordon helped me out a lot."

"I hope that other students who come from other countries will see me and know that they can do this too," she adds. "Maybe they will think, 'If she can do it, why can't I do it too?' It doesn't matter where you're from or what religion you are, you are welcome here."

During her first year at Saint Paul College, Clarice Mays earned a 3.9 grade point average — despite working part-time as a tool consultant at Sears. While the Central High School graduate has always been a good student, figuring out how to pay for college was a challenge. That's where the Power of YOU came in. "It's been great," she says. "The program has relieved a lot of financial stress for me."

Mays, who is planning to transfer to Metropolitan State University after completing her second year at Saint Paul College this spring, appreciates the opportunities that the Power of YOU offers. "I've heard people say that without this program they wouldn't be in school," she says.

Cheng Lee was already planning to attend Saint Paul College with the help of Power of YOU when his father passed away last summer. Although finances were suddenly stretched tighter for his family, he decided to keep his commitment to college. "I want to get an education and be able to help my family," he says. "This program gave me the chance to go to college. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to attend."

But he's been even more impressed by the personal treatment he's received at the College. "All the Power of YOU people have helped me," he says. "They keep track of you, they talk with you, and they ask if you need any help. They know I just lost my dad, and the Power of YOU people have been there for me."

Matthew Brown, who graduated from St. Paul's Highland Park High School last spring, heard about the program from his parents. After they brought up the idea, he didn't even look anywhere else. "It really helped me to get two years of college for free," Brown says. "It's good for me to get acquainted with the idea of going to school. And it's been pretty fun so far. I'm very glad I decided to do it."

So is Kia Yang. The Harding High School graduate was planning on attending college somewhere this fall — but the Power of YOU program helped her decide just where to go.

The University of Minnesota seemed too big and overwhelming, she says, but Saint Paul College was just the right size. "It's a good fit for me," she says. "And the Power of YOU helps you pay for it, which is a good deal."

Saint Paul College's Power of YOU Director Kathleen Gordon is hoping even more students will see what a great opportunity it is next year. And she hopes that this year's class of new students will help pass the word on to their peers. "Every time I go to talk about the program, people ask, 'What's the catch,'" Gordon says. "But now, many of them will know students who are here because of Power of YOU. It will make the program more real to them."