From an early age, Detria Davis knew she wanted to be a nurse. Both of her parents worked in the medical field – her mother was a nurse, and her father served as a paramedic – and she felt a pull to follow in their footsteps. But life got in the way, and it was years before she rediscovered her calling after completing the Adult High School program at SBCC. Unfortunately, it seemed like going to college to earn a degree in nursing would not be financially possible.
“I was working full-time while taking a couple of summer classes at SBCC, and the textbooks were more than I could afford,” Detria recalls. “I really thought I wouldn’t be able to continue. It was very disheartening.”
That’s when an academic counselor mentioned the SBCC Promise. Since she had recently completed her secondary education locally through the adult high school program, Detria was eligible to attend SBCC for up to two years, with all tuition, fees, books, and supplies completely covered.
“The SBCC Promise not only made it possible to pursue my education, it motivated me. I thought to myself, I can do this!”
The fact that people were willing to step up and support her education helped Detria believe in herself and her dream. What once seemed impossible became a reality. Detria graduated from SBCC with an associate degree in bio-medical sciences and is planning to transfer to a four-year university to earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She will also have associate degrees from SBCC in science and mathematics and psychology, and become a certified emergency medical technician (EMT), before transferring.
“I am so thankful for the SBCC Promise and the opportunity it has provided. With my education, I will eventually be able to work with medical teams, either here or abroad, to help save people’s lives…going wherever my services are most needed.”
