After getting sober in 2018, Mika began rebuilding her life and decided it was time to pursue the education she never thought possible. In December, she will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in social work.
“As someone who didn’t graduate high school, college felt intimidating,” Mika said. “Being accepted into Marshall has shown me that my past does not define me and that I can do hard things when I put my mind to it and put in the work.”
At 31, Mika applied to Marshall after hearing about Student Support Services (SSS) through a friend who had just graduated. She quickly found the community and encouragement she needed.
“Before SSS, college was overwhelming,” she said. “They helped me in every way possible and made things easier to manage.”
Student Support Services has given Mika the support she has needed throughout her college journey; the support that has helped her navigate the challenges of being a first-generation college student. The program provided her academic guidance and class supplies, but most importantly, it gave Mika a sense of belonging.
She also found unwavering encouragement from Caylin France, a student support specialist who has been one of her biggest supporters.
“Caylin is awesome,” Mika said. “She truly cares about her students and wants to see us succeed.”
Majoring in social work, Mika discovered her calling: helping others overcome challenges like those she once faced. Before starting at Marshall, she worked as a peer recovery support specialist, assisting individuals in substance use recovery. That experience inspired her to earn a degree that would allow her to make a larger impact.
At Marshall, Mika has built a strong foundation in counseling, advocacy and community support—skills she plans to carry into her future career. Her goal is to become a clinical therapist, focusing on children and families.
“The social work program has taught me not only about others, but about my own growth and strength,” Mika said.
She credits her professors and mentors in the College of Health Professions for helping her gain the confidence to reach her goals, especially during personal hardships such as the loss of her father.
For Mika, her Marshall journey has been about more than earning a degree, it’s been about creating a future.
“My favorite part of being a student at Marshall has been getting to experience college life to the fullest,” she said. “It’s been worth it 100 times over. I’ve made lifelong friends and connections, and this degree is going to allow me to have a career, not just a job.”
Coming from a background of addiction and foster care, Mika is proud of how far she’s come and hopes her story encourages other first-generation students to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles.
Her advice to others is simple but powerful: “It’s going to get rough, but don’t give up.”
