CCBC Essex Graduate Thankful for 'New Beginning'

Jillian Goles admits she was more concerned in high school about sports and being popular rather than concentrating on her academics.

Goles said by the time she got her academic act together at , it was too late for her to go to any of the colleges of her choosing. Left with few post-high school options, Goles decided to go to CCBC Essex.

Two years later, Goles said that decision was the best one she has made in her life.

Goles will graduate Sunday with 900 other CCBC students and will be this year's commencement speaker and the 2012 President’s Distinguished Graduate Award recipient.

"I was heart-broken when I didn't get into the colleges I applied to," said Goles, 20, of Rosedale. "But it was the wake-up call I needed."

Goles, who will graduate with an associate degree in general studies, said going to CCBC Essex offered her a chance to start over and break away from the distractions that hurt her grades in high school.

She became very active in student life on campus, which included serving as president of the Chi Theta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, inaugural president of the CCBC Essex Psychology and Mental Health Club, and served as a student ambassador and blogger.

"Going to CCBC Essex allowed me to break away from all the negative influences on my life," said Goles, who was on the cheerleading and lacrosse teams in high school. "I wasn't being realistic about my expectations prior to enrolling at CCBC. I didn't want to go there at first, but I'm so glad I did now."

Goles said she wants to let others know about the positive benefits of going to community college, especially if you are undecided about what direction you want your life to take following high school.

"I had people bringing me down in high school," Goles said. "Many of my problems were self-inflicted and it took the guidance at CCBC to help put me on the right path. The professors were so helpful, the class sizes were not too big and the price is half the cost of four-year schools."

Goles will graduate Summa Cum Laude from CCBC Essex and has plans to attend the University of Maryland, Baltimore County—her first choice out of high school—in the fall.

She already received the President’s Distinguished Transfer Award from UMBC, which covers all of her tuition and has been nominated for the University System of Maryland Kelley Regents Scholarship, Goles said.

She said her ultimate goal after graduating UMBC, where she plans on majoring in political science and psychology, is to go to law school. Until then, she plans on using the next few years working to help other students make the transition to college, while also getting more involved in a growing hobby for her: drag racing.

"My boyfriend is really into it and we recently got me a car of my own," Goles said. "It's such an adrenaline rush and an amazing way to forget about the stresses of studying."

As for what she plans on telling her fellow graduates on Sunday, Goles plans on offering a simple message.

"This isn't the end. This is just a new beginning," she said. "There's no telling where you can go unless you're given an opportunity to succeed."