Like many students, I did not focus on preparing for college as I should have, so HCC gave me the opportunity to prove myself a good student. My HCC professors and mentors taught me the importance of leadership and building relationships—skills that have proven beneficial throughout my career. I credit Dr. Soto with encouraging me to have a voice in my community. That inspiration led me to become president of the African American Student Union at HCC and be a leader in student government. With the assistance of Professor Tametryce Collins, I worked to get the AASU (African American Student Union) back on campus, and to this day, I continue to lead diversity and inclusion initiatives in Brandon. After HCC I transferred to the University of South Florida where I graduated with honors. HCC gave me the opportunity to build a foundation of skills and knowledge that would help me succeed.