Many students feel pressured to attend a four-year college immediately after high school. However, Lashaunta Moore found an alternative path by attending Richard J. Daley College with the help of a Star Scholarship, which led her to a career in media.
Moore shared her journey, stating, "Before I could proudly say that I got a master’s degree from Columbia College Chicago, or even my bachelor’s from St. Xavier University, I was a student at Richard J. Daley College, working to obtain my associate’s degree."
As a first-generation college graduate from Roseland and West Pullman, Moore faced financial challenges. She explained that there was no way for her to afford university tuition right after graduating from Percy L. Julian High School. Instead, she spent time researching ways to pay for school and discovered the city's Star Scholarship program.
According to City Colleges of Chicago, the graduation rate for Star Scholars is 49%, compared with the colleges’ general graduation rate of 23.9%. Since its inception in 2015, the scholarship has enabled CPS students to earn associate degrees at no cost and transfer to four-year institutions with additional scholarships.
Moore enrolled in Daley's communication program after being inspired by Julian's TV Broadcasting program. Her goal was to graduate and transfer within two years while remaining a full-time student and taking summer classes.
The Star Scholarship provided security for Moore as it covers up to three years of education expenses including online classes and books. It can also be combined with other scholarships.
During her time at community college, Moore worked as a work-study student in the Student Services Center under the guidance of one of her professors who was also the dean of student services.
Reflecting on her experience at community college, Moore said: "City colleges are underrated resources that I’m grateful to have experienced." She recommends them highly for recent high school graduates seeking affordable education options.