Alison

Congratulations, Alison!
Alison received her Criminal Justice Degree from Grand Valley State University.
After graduation, Alison was hired by a local security firm. The person interviewing her and hiring her told her that her degree in Criminal Justice is what put her ahead of others being interviewed. And that affirms what we believe: further education gives students better opportunities for success and gainful employment.
Until she was a freshman in high school, Alison thought she would be entering military service after graduation. It was a family tradition on her father’s side. But she saw a video presented by Hope College’s Trio Upward Bound program and began dreaming of a college degree.
Elizabeth Colburn, director of Hope’s Upward Bound program had this to say about Alison:
“Alison has the determination and drive to succeed in school and the tools she needs to accomplish her dreams, including an inquisitive mind, a love of learning and a positive attitude.”
First Alison dreamed about getting a law degree, and yet she was practical. She realized that degree would require eight years of education and substantial debt. So she entered Grand Valley University planning to become a physical therapist. But as she began taking the science courses necessary for this major and found them not matching her skills and talents, she stepped back again.
That’s when Alison thought again her family’s tradition of “service,” changed directions one last time and entered Grand Valley’s Criminal Justice program.
Alison’s advice to high school students:
“Don’t second guess yourself,” Alison says. “Go for it, if it will benefit your life in the end.”
And, she can’t say enough about the Educational Support Program at Grand Valley. Both the director and the peer mentors helped Alison clarify her goals.
To learn more about the Holland/Zeeland Promise Scholarship, visit www.cfhz.org/hzpromise

