VaHigherEd.com

After years of driving by his law office, Tara Clark finally got to meet Sen. Donald McEachin.  A voter in his district, this 37-year-old single mom visited the General Assembly to share her success at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.

 ”I’ve been following you,” the Highland Springs resident told him, relating how she has lived near his offices all over the Richmond area. ”Maybe I’ve been following you,” he responded, telling Tara and her classmates to contact him if they ever need anything at all.

One of the many community college students who juggle jobs and classes, Tara finished her 11 p.m. -7 a.m. shift as a machine tech –read: cigarette packer — at Phillip Morris, slipped on her pressed maroon ambassador’s jacket from Reynolds, and headed out to visit legislators — forgoing what otherwise would have been an overdue visit with her bed.

She’s been taking part-time classes for a few years now, and still has a few years to go to obtain an associate’s degree. But Reynolds has made it possible for her to pursue more than an education. At this point, she wants a career.  Just attending classes has already led to a better job — now she wants more. She plans to transfer to a four-year school and perhaps seek a career in employee development.

Last year, she noticed the application to become a Reynolds Ambassador for the college – that it included a scholarship. She applied and was accepted.  “I fell in love with being a student ambassador,” she says.  Now in her second year, it’s not so much about the scholarship, but more about “the chance to give a little bit back.” She counsels younger students (she got a hug just this morning), and represents the college in a number of settings, including in front of groups and tours.

Sometimes the audience is right at home. The mother of three children (17, 14, and 12), she has a daughter who is a straight A student already planning her college career. But her 17-year old son said he didn’t need to go to college. He goes to the Henrico High School Center for the Arts and is hoping to become an actor or singer.

Tara didn’t argue or lecture. She changed her tactics. One Saturday morning, she took her son with her to her math class at JSRCC. She thought her dynamic teacher might just appeal to him, and the tall high school junior blended right in.

Now, she says, his grades are improving, and he’s talking about continuing his education at a Virginia Community College. 

In the halls of the General Assembly building, she whispers, “This is so exciting.”  Sleep? Maybe later this afternoon.

Posted by Susan Hayden