Westminster Canterbury, where I am employed, has graciously offered its employees one thousand dollars per year for tuition fees.  However, this amount covers only part of my education, as the Osher Re-entry Scholarship offered through the University of Richmond tremendously assists with my education expense as well.  This is one reason I have chosen the University of Richmond for continued growth and study.  Because the University of Richmond is one of the top schools in the nation, and offers tremendous educational programs and opportunities that are world class, I opted to finish my B.A. in liberal arts at Richmond, and I wanted to impact that degree with more knowledge through the paralegal program.

In the long term, I am planning to accomplish two goals.  I want to continue as a buyer and managerial leader at my current facility, while assisting with various legal concerns for vulnerable members of our community, such as the poor and the aging.  My second goal is to offer my time as a volunteer in the community for challenged populations, including the poor and various humanitarian pursuits, particularly care of foster children and the elderly.  Further, I wish to provide assistance with political endeavors to help formulate more equitable tax structures benefiting lower income workers and families on limited incomes, specifically single parents. 

I have already obtained an Associate’s Degree in Social Sciences from the University of Richmond in 1993 with high grade point averages.  When I had my son, my education was interrupted until he reached third grade, when I again entered into paralegal studies at the University of Richmond.  I have since completed enough courses to qualify for a minor degree in paralegal studies, and again have managed to obtain a high academic standing.

Our community at Westminster Canterbury is fully outreaching, and I wish to increase my own education in order to enhance my own abilites, which will precipitate a broadened level of service.  As an example, I recently assisted my boss as he chaired the United Way campaign in reaching 99 percent of our United Way goal, just under $20,000.00 for the Richmond community.  Our own department had 100 percent participation in all related fund raising events and in our own personal contributions.  I feel that I had a significant personal impact on this success as well, utilizing much creative energy and motivation, as the accomplishment of this goal truly reflects matters of my own heart.  Furthering my education with the University of Richmond will help provide the resources that I feel are necessary to continuing growth and making a larger impact as I work toward my personal goals.  In achieving the goals such as those previously mentioned, I also wish to find increasingly effective ways to help my employer and community, as well as to continue enriching my personal life and relationships.  It is for these reasons that I am in the School of Continuing Studies.