An academic journey begins
Ablanvi “Cali” Lodonou’s academic journey started across the ocean on another continent.
A native of Togo, she earned her high school diploma in Africa and “from a youthful age, I dreamed of going to college,” she said.
Unfortunately, her dream did not come true at that time because of limited financial resources.
“Still, I never stopped believing that education is a powerful tool that could help me achieve my deepest goal: to make a positive impact on the lives of others and support them in reaching their own dreams,” she said.
“When I emigrated to the United States of America, I felt that the time had finally come to pursue that dream.”
Health challenges and perseverance
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However, shortly after her arrival, Cali was diagnosed with “a painful and debilitating illness that left me in a wheelchair,” she said. “After undergoing four surgeries, my condition gradually improved.”
Determined to keep moving forward, “I made the decision to reclaim my life by pursuing higher education,” she said.
Her academic journey in America finally began in Fall 2021 at age 57.
First, she took English as a Second Language courses at the Black Hawk College Outreach Center in East Moline.
Then in Summer 2022, she decided to continue her studies with college-credit classes, and Black Hawk College was the natural choice.
“BHC is a supportive and welcoming place where students can grow academically and personally,” she said.
“The professors and staff want students to succeed, and the college provides resources that help them achieve their goals.”
Support from TRIO program
One of the resources Cali used was TRIO Student Support Services, a federal program that began in the 1960s.
TRIO offers one-on-one advising, workshops and other services to help low-income students, first-generation college students and students with disabilities succeed in college.
She also became a peer mentor for the TRIO Connect program and provided guidance to new TRIO students who were acclimating to college.
Lisa Hansen oversaw the TRIO program and said Cali used her experiences to lead others to persevere and make positive choices in their lives.
“Cali is able to spread positivity by talking with others who say they’re stressed or struggling with their academics or personal life and guide them to focus on what is going well in their lives,” she said.
Cali credits her own success to “the dedication and compassion of outstanding professors, faculty members, and TRIO’s tutors who are deeply committed to supporting their students.”
The journey continues
Cali is graduating with an Associate in Arts and has enrolled in an online Bachelor of Arts in African and African American Studies at Arizona State University.
She is thinking about going into education or social work where “I will get the opportunities to transmit to the next generation values like courage, perseverance, diligence, self-discipline and excellence,” she said.
“My experience at BHC gave me confidence, valuable knowledge, and the motivation to continue my education. Earning my associate degree was an important milestone that showed me that perseverance and hard work can open new opportunities.
“Today, at 62 years old, I am filled with joy and gratitude for the opportunity to fulfill my lifelong desire to be educated,” she said.
