If it wasn’t for Sinclair Community College, I’d probably be stuck frying chicken wings and mopping floors for the rest of my life, and not too many people would even care.
Seven years ago, while I was student at Belmont High School, I was offered a full scholarship to Wright State University through the Wright Steps program. All I had to do was attend classes at WSU during the summers and stay on the honor roll.
I emphatically declined.
At that point in my life, I hated school with a passion. I hated the politics, I hated the corruption and I hated Algebra 2 homework. I dropped out of Belmont my senior year and earned my high school diploma through the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT).
I reluctantly enrolled for classes at Sinclair that same year solely for insurance purposes, never expecting to earn a degree. But something weird happened to me my first quarter at Sinclair.
I started enjoying it.
After completing a presentation for my Student Success Course explaining the function of the campus ombudsman and listening to presentations by fellow classmates, I came to the conclusion that Sinclair does everything in their power for students to succeed.
Besides having the lowest tuition in the state, they offer us a math lab, writing center and free tutors to help us with our studies. They even provide opportunities to gain experience in your future career field through service learning projects and jobs like the Clarion.
I also would argue that most of our instructors here are very high quality, easily accessible and some might actually be overqualified for their jobs. Listening to communication instructor Heidi McGrew explain concepts and theories is like listening to an intellectual Katt Williams the way she both educates and entertains at the same time, and watching Dr. Robert Obach break down confusing philosophy into a way that his whole class understands is like watching Saints quarterback Drew Brees pick apart the Colts’ defense in the Super Bowl.
I don’t want to make Sinclair sound like it’s perfect because in a world full of complimentary opposites, nothing is. But I would say Sinclair is giving us the best shot most of us will ever have at bettering our lives without having to join our country’s armed services.
I’ve been hearing a lot of negative talk about Sinclair lately regarding minuscule tuition increases and unpopular snow day procedures, but I urge all of you to stay positive and focused on the goals you want to accomplish this quarter.
Remember what actress Shirley MacLaine said: “Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power.”