Name: Kaylee Tadych

Hometown: Kaukauna, Wisconsin

Course of Study:  Biology

Why did you choose Ripon College?
Small class sizes and the individual help from professors.

How has financial aid impacted your college experience?
Without financial aid, there is no way I’d be able to attend college. I have a child, so without financial aid, it isn’t practical for me to attend school. The financial aid is helping me to better myself and my family in the future.

Did receiving financial aid impact your decision to attend Ripon College?
Yes, 100 percent. Without it, Ripon College wouldn’t even be an option.

What will a college degree mean to you?
It will mean the world. It isn’t just about me anymore. It’s about my family, as well. A college degree will mean I have overcome so many challenging obstacles that I didn’t think I’d ever get through. It means the late nights of studying and being up very early the next morning won’t be for nothing. It means my child will have a mother of higher education, and that is extremely important to me.

Have you learned something during college you didn’t expect?
I’ve learned that everyone has a story; how they got here, their life experiences. College is full of lessons to be learned from other students and faculty.

What are your plans after graduation?
As of right now, I am going to be spending 17 weeks at the police academy in the spring of 2018. After that, I’m hoping to get a job in a town like Ripon as a police officer.