88 Graduation Day The Big Embarrassment Graduation day was the best day of my life. It felt like winning the lotto. Internally I was embarrassed because of my age at the time of graduation. I felt like the world (students that graduated on time) left me behind. Then my mother popped the question to me. “Now, are you going to college?” She asked me in front of a teacher that I never got good grades in her class. I was so embarrassed, and it felt like she put me on the spot in front of a teacher. College was not in my game plan. I wanted to be a manager at McDonalds. I knew I would have failed, and that my grades would have prevented me from being accepted. I didn’t want to embarrass my mother, so I lied and said, “I’m going to sign up.” Why would she ask me that and know I barely made it through high school!
89 CHAPTER TEN Associates Of Arts Program Myth 6 Adults with LD cannot succeed in higher education (Sharma, 2021). Reality. More and more adults with LD are going to college or university and succeeding. With the proper accommodations and support, adults with learning disabilities can be successful at higher education (Sharma, 2021). . ( .
90 No Money for College I came home from work one evening and my father handed me an acceptance letter from Baltimore City Community College along with a financial aid form that needed to be completed. As I read the letter, I was taken aback by the section requiring verification of my parents' income. I assumed that their combined earnings would disqualify me from attending college. Confused, I showed the letter to my father, but he was unable to help me understand it. Feeling dejected, I took the letter to my Aunt Mary's house, hoping for some guidance. My Aunt Mary was quick to offer her assistance. She informed me that the form I received was FAFSA and helped me fill it out. I was grateful to her for taking the time to guide me through the process and secure the funds for Community college. Mary Towns
91 Applications to College Pasco-Hernando Community College Baltimore City Community College Barry University Not with my SAT Scores I had the lowest SAT scores in the world. I knew that no college would consider me. Scholarships and college acceptance are determined on these scores. It was not until I met with my counselor at the Home and Hospital School that I gained a different perspective. She advised me to apply to as many colleges as I wanted, as there was always a chance of being accepted. Following her advice, I applied to a college in Florida, where my mother resided. I received acceptance letters from Barry University and Baltimore City Community College. Pasco Hernando Community College also accepted me but did not save the letter for verification. Sadly, the financial aid I received was insufficient to cover the tuition, leaving me with no option but to attend Baltimore City Community College.
92 Accepted to Barry University When I attended a college fair in high school, my primary goal was to find a college in Miami, Florida, where my mother lived. She had moved there to care for her sister, who was mother lived. She had moved there to care for her sister, who was suffering from cancer. The first college I applied to was Barry University in Miami. However, I later changed my mind and decided to stay in Baltimore to try to be independent. Despite constant reminders that my disability would make it impossible for me to live on my own, I wanted to defy the odds. So, instead of enrolling in a two-year college. I enrolled at The Baltimore City Community College (BCCC).
93 Accepted to Baltimore City Community College I called my mother to share the great news that I had become a college student and was on my way to becoming a manager. Her response was filled with pride and admiration, as I was the first one in the family to pursue higher education. To fit in with the managerial image, I began wearing suits at school and even bought a briefcase to look more professional. This was primarily to boost my selfconfidence, as I struggled with a slight stutter and anxiety attacks. However, my father later pointed out that I was trying too hard to please others instead of being true to myself. He encouraged me to be myself and not let others dictate my actions, leading to fewer anxiety attacks.
94 Accepted to Pasco-Hernando Community College I had applied to a college in Florida with the intention of being closer to my mother. However, my counselor advised me that the acceptance rate for two-year colleges is higher than that of four-year colleges.
95 My anxiety levels were high during my second semester, and I started experiencing panic attacks. I even lost my book bag twice, prompting the financial aid office to replace my books. To prevent any further loss, I started carrying handcuffs to school. Whenever I was on the bus, at the mall, or at a bus stop, I would lock my book bag or briefcase to the nearest pole if I found myself getting anxious. These Books Belong to Me
96 College Scholarships This scholarship was the first award I received from college. It came after I had gone through a difficult time dealing with my disappointment over my SAT scores. Before that, I had always thought scholarships were only for students with good grades. Excited to share the news, I asked my teacher if I could use the phone in the classroom to call my mother. She gave me permission, and I spoke to my mother as if I had won the lottery. My teacher reminded me to keep my voice down. When I got home, I eagerly placed the scholarship letter on my father's lap and waited for him to read it. As he read it, he started smiling and then jumped up to hug me. He reminded me to calm down and not get too overwhelmed.
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101 Extra Curriculum Courses American Sign Language One day while working at the Marriott Hotel, hearing impaired customers entered the restaurant where I worked. Unfortunately, no one there had the skills to communicate with them except through paper. A customer from another table came to their aid and translated for them. I was impressed I decided to take a course. Using the refund from my scholarship award, I paid for a sign language course at the Baltimore City Community College. I went to a community where the hearing impaired lived and found a mentor who helped me for over six months to practice. Today, I know enough to finger spell and provide translation to those who need it. -
102 Emergency Medical Technician During my college years, my interest in the medical profession grew stronger. I was fascinated by the idea of paramedics and doctors working together to save lives, making split-second decisions that could mean the difference between life and death. With this passion in mind, I decided to use the Upton school scholarship to pay for an emergency medical technician class that would help me pursue this dream.
103 Braille I was determined to learn braille to communicate with blind individuals. I believe that effective communication with all customers was a crucial skill for a manager. However, the college did not offer a class in Braille at the time. Undeterred, I purchased a braillewriter and sought out a mentor at the library for the blind. I learned to write the braille alphabet with their guidance and create simple sentences. Despite my efforts, I struggled to master the shortcuts used in braille communication. Additionally, as someone who had not lost sight, I found it challenging to read braille. Nonetheless, I remained committed to my goal.
104 Letter of Completion BCCC Obtaining my A.A. degree was a major accomplishment that filled me with a sense of pride and achievement. My father often told me that it’s hard to get ahead in this world without a college degree or serving in the military. As I was not eligible for the military, pursuing a degree was my next best option. When I received my degree, I felt invincible and believed I could secure any desired job. Though my father had passed away a year prior and could not witness my achievement, my mother was there to support me and celebrate with our family. However, the road to completing the program was not easy, especially when
105 it came to math-related courses. Nonetheless, with the help of friends and disability support services, I persevered through the challenges and emerged with my degree.
106 Since colleges require high S.A.T scores from high school and college-level entry exams such as the GMAT, I would have never entered a higher education setting. However, with my dedication and discipline, I managed to find ways around these requirements. Associate of Arts Degree J
107 Associates of Arts Transcripts
108 Baltimore City Community College
109 I Have Something to Prove Reggie Parker Food & Beverage Manager I Can Compete With an “A” Student I was working in a hotel while I attended community college, I always received compliments on my work ethics. During this time, placing a G.P.A. on your resume had a significant impact on hiring and promotional opportunities. There was no way I had a chance of getting a promotion with my G.P.A. One day my manager, Reggie Parker, asked me to coordinate the inventory and ordering of food & beverage supplies. After a conversation, he concluded that he needed someone to do the job and not brag about their grades. This was the moment I determined that I could outperform individuals with a high G.P.A.
110 CHAPTER ELEVEN Bachelor of Arts Program MYTH 7 People with learning disabilities cannot have successful careers (Springer school and center, 2016). FACT: People with learning disabilities have average or above intelligence and work just as hard as anyone else. If a student is taught effective learning strategies and has efficient accommodations, he can have a very successful career in a variety of fields.
111 I Chose Diversity The University of Baltimore was an upper-level institution, distinct from others in that it did not admit high school graduates directly. Prospective students were required to hold an associate degree or have earned at least sixty college credits to be considered for admission. I received acceptance from this University. Although Morgan State College was highly recommended, I preferred a diverse learning environment where I could interact with people from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. This was a crucial factor in my success as a business owner. University of Baltimore School of Business
112 UB’s Disability Support Services The University of Baltimore boasts an office dedicated to providing Disability and Access Services (University of Baltimore, 2022) to students who require additional support to succeed in their studies. As someone who experiences test anxiety and is a slow reader, I often find myself struggling to complete exams within the allotted period. Despite my best efforts, I frequently had to read material multiple times to fully comprehend it, which made completing tests within the given timeframe challenging. Typically, professors would give students one hour and thirty minutes to complete tests but allowed three hours for essays. After receiving poor grades on exams due to my difficulties with test-taking, one of my business instructors suggested that I seek assistance from the Disability Support Services Office. He recognized that I was answering questions correctly but was unable to complete the exams in time. As a result, I began taking my tests in the Disability Support office, which provided me with double the time to finish them. Additionally, my books were converted to a digital format to further aid my understanding of course material.
113 Myer’s Briggs Personality Assessment At the University of Baltimore Career Center, students had access to a wide range of resources, including various career assessments and personality tests. One such test I completed was the Myer's Briggs Personality assessment, which turned out to be one of the lengthiest assessments I had ever taken. Despite its duration, I was able to complete the assessment in one sitting, which surprised me. Upon receiving the results, I was taken aback by what they revealed.
114 The Myers-Briggs Key ENFP Characteristics • ENFPs have excellent people skills. In addition to having an abundance of enthusiasm, they also genuinely care about others. ENFPs are good at understanding what other people are feeling. Given their zeal, charisma, and creativity, they can also make great leaders. • People with this personality type strongly dislike routine and prefer to focus on the future. While they are great at generating new ideas, they sometimes put off important tasks until the last minute. Dreaming up ideas but not seeing them through to completion is a common problem. • ENFPs can also become easily distracted, particularly when they are working on something that seems boring or uninspiring. • ENFPs are flexible and like to keep their options open. They can be spontaneous and are highly adaptable to change. They also dislike routine and may have problems with disorganization and procrastination. The Myers-Briggs Personality assessment is useful for understanding one's personality type (Cherry, 2021). I have taken this assessment on two separate occasions, ten years apart, and both times my results indicated that I possess an ENFP personality type. ENFP stands for Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving, and Cherry (2021) describes the personality traits commonly associated with this type.
115 The Sigma Alpha Omicron Award is a prestigious honor bestowed upon three graduate and undergraduate students who maintain good academic standing (at least 2.0) and have demonstrated outstanding contributions to student life at the University through their involvement in student government and other extracurricular activities. Sigma Alpha Omicron Award
116 An Award-Winning Campus Leader One evening I was in the library studying next to a group of students who were stunting for a test. I observed how they were trying to memorize the answers as opposed to understanding the material. I had a sudden awakening, which changed my perception about competing against “A” students to reveal my intelligence and graduating from a prestigious college to demonstrate my ability to perform. I came to the realization that though grades and college attended may be a key selling point for some employers. However, they would much rather hire someone who can perform the duties over those attributes. One particularly meaningful award was the Spirit of Excellence Award, which recognized a student for their exceptional leadership contributions. This award was a testament to my theory.
117 My mother attended many of the award ceremonies. I was recognized for my leadership achievements. She was very proud to see me receive these awards and honors. Although she couldn't make it to every event, I made sure that she was present at the most significant ones. I remember giving my mother a tour of the university. She met with administrators, students, and staff. Everyone praised my leadership skills and how I helped students and staff at the college. This acknowledgement was overwhelming because all I wanted was to make my mother proud. While in the hall, I had an anxiety attack, and a security officer came to help. I introduced the security team to my mother, and they explained how they looked after me while on campus. She was delighted to observe my positive relationship with the UB community. Spirit of Excellence Annual Awards Criteria
118 I was nominated for an award by the President of the Black Law Student's Association, with whom I developed a close friendship. Our organizations collaborated on numerous initiatives that served the UB community and extended to community service events beyond the University. During my tenure as a leader, BSU was the most active student organization on campus. Spirit of Excellence Nomination Letter
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121 Winner—School of Business— Spirit of Excellence Award
122 A Gift for Mom I have been honored with two of the most prestigious awards for student leaders. Wanting to express my gratitude to my mother for raising me into the man I am today, I decided to do something special for her. Knowing that B.B. King was her favorite blues singer and was scheduled to perform in Baltimore, I purchased tickets for the show and arranged for her to fly in. I told her that we were attending another awards ceremony at an arena. She had no idea what was going on as we took our seats. When they announced B.B. King, she looked at me in disbelief and asked if I was serious. I simply smiled and told her to enjoy the show. However, my excitement caused me to experience a panic attack.
123 Disability Support Service Reference Teaching for Baltimore City Due to my prior success working with youth in various settings, such as work, community programs, and as a student leader in college, several individuals, including administrative staff members, suggested that I become a middle school teacher. Despite feeling confident in my ability to teach, I was held back by fear and anxiety. I was afraid of having an anxiety attack in front of my students and losing my job. Additionally, several people suggested that I apply for disability benefits to be on the "safe side," which was discouraging. However, I refused to give up and applied for a substitute teacher position. Unfortunately, I never received a response from the school system.
124 Bachelor of Science Degree
125 Bachelor of Science Transcripts
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127 Graduation Day A Birthday Gift to Me I was ecstatic to be graduating with my bachelor's degree, but in all the excitement, I had forgotten that it was also my birthday. My family came from out of town to celebrate both occasions with me. As the still-serving President of the Black Student Union, I organized a graduation party with jazz/blues performers and refreshments. Banners hung with the phrase "another BSU Production" on them, and the UB community showed its support for our events. Therefore, not only was I graduating on my birthday, but I was also being recognized for my exceptional work as President.
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129 CHAPTER TWELVE Master’s Program 12 Myth 8 The terms dyslexia and learning disability are the same thing (Sharma, 2021). Reality. Dyslexia is a type of learning disability. This is not another term for learning disability. It is a specific language-based disorder affecting a person’s ability to read, write, and verbally express himself or herself (Sharma, 2021). Unfortunately, careless use of the term dyslexia has expanded so that it has become, for some people, an equivalent for LD. Four out of five children identified with a learning disability are diagnosed with a reading disability (or dyslexia) (Sharma, 2021).
130 Graduate Schools Photos University of Baltimore Human Services University of Baltimore Public Administration University of Phoenix Management
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132 During my undergraduate years, I struggled to maintain grades that met the minimum requirements for Graduate school admission, which demanded a GPA of at least 3.0. My average hovered around 2.5, and it often felt like every time I reached a milestone, I was told that I had fallen short. In high school, I was told employers wouldn't hire individuals without a diploma, so I obtained one. Then, to secure a better job beyond fast food, I was informed that a college degree was essential. Consequently, I earned my college degree. However, it didn't stop there. I was then told that everyone had an undergraduate degree, and the next step was pursuing a graduate degree. Though I desired to enroll in graduate school, one of the prerequisites was passing the GMAT exam to qualify for the MBA program. Unfortunately, due to my anxiety and fear of failure rooted in my experiences, I couldn't bring myself to take this standardized test. Consequently, I needed to explore an alternative pathway to fulfill my ambition of enrolling in graduate school. Master’s Program Admission Letters
133 Enrolling in the Master of Public Administration Program, fortunately, did not require a standardized test. However, after completing two semesters, my academic performance faltered, leading to my being placed on academic probation and eventually dismissed from the program due to my consistently poor grades. Despite my best efforts to keep up with the extensive readings for three classes, I found myself repeatedly falling behind. Master of Public Administration Mission
134 Determined to regain my position in the master's program, I grappled with a deep sense of embarrassment. As the President of the Black Student Union, I felt self-conscious about my struggles with reading comprehension. The weight of my difficulties began to take a toll on my emotional well-being, causing me to experience bouts of depression. It was frustrating to witness how my anxiety would abruptly interfere with my physical and mental state, despite moments of success; I could not maintain my grades to remain in the program. Master of Human Service Admission
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136 This was the letter I composed to appeal to the Dean of the program, urging her to consider my admission. Fully aware of my subpar grades during my undergraduate studies, she also made a note of my dismissal from the previous master's class due to my academic performance. Despite the setbacks, she took a leap of faith and granted me conditional admission, which meant that any failure in a course or a drop in my GPA below 3.0 would result in my dismissal from the program. Thank You Letter
137 Believing that enrolling in a different college would offer me a better opportunity to complete a master's program, I decided to join the University of Phoenix. This was my first experience with a flexible class structure, primarily consisting of online courses supplemented by in-person classes on Saturdays. What set this school apart was its policy of limiting students to a maximum of two courses at a time, requiring special approval from the Dean for any additional courses. Fortunately, this arrangement suited me well as I had grown accustomed to taking four classes to meet the requirements for financial aid. Master of Management Admission