By Mgizi Wemigwans, SCTC Student Services Assistant
The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College is a grant recipient of the College Fund’s Native Students Stepping Forward: Dollar General Adult Education Program. Through this support, we are proud to highlight two of our most recent GED program graduates, Aaron and Michael, two students with two powerful stories of determination and success.
As an adult learner, Michael set a clear goal to earn his GED. Distance quickly became one of the biggest barriers he faced. Living more than 25 miles from campus without consistent transportation could have prevented him from attending regularly. Instead, Michael utilized local county public transportation to travel to and from Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College for study sessions and testing. The holistic support from the College Fund allows our program to provide bus passes, helping remove barriers that might otherwise stand in the way of student success. Because of this support, Michael was able to focus on his studies without the added stress of finding reliable transportation. His consistency and commitment directly contributed to his achievement.
Aaron’s journey required a different kind of perseverance. Aaron is an employee of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, working full time as an overnight front desk attendant for Tribal Housing. Overnight work can take a mental and physical toll, yet Aaron remained focused on completing his GED. His ambition came from his strong work ethic and his desire to enroll in college courses to continue his education. After finishing long overnight shifts, Aaron would come directly to campus in the early morning to complete his testing. He consistently arrived with a positive attitude and confidence in his ability to succeed.
At the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College GED Center, we see firsthand how adult education transforms lives. The support of the College Fund strengthens our ability to remove barriers, uplift students, and celebrate their achievements. We are proud to recognize Aaron and Michael for their hard work and dedication. Their success reflects not only personal determination but also the power of community support in helping students move forward.
