Nicole was even more surprised when Professor Adair asked her to help develop Hamilton's ACCESS Project, a new program that helps low-income single parents move from welfare to meaningful professions through education — first a year at Hamilton and then the opportunity to continue or transfer to another area college or university to complete their degrees.
Over the summer as an Emerson Scholar, Nicole wrote recruitment materials for the pilot class of 18 women who began their studies in January. She also met with community leaders to encourage their support and assisted in interviewing prospective students and helping them apply.
But her most rewarding moments came when she saw firsthand the difference she was making.
"In the fall, I took a group of prospective students on a tour of campus when the two-year-old daughter of one of the women reached up and held my hand," Nicole said. "All I could think of was how this child has a chance for a future because her mother is taking this step to get an education."
Nicole also traveled to Washington, DC, for National Welfare Makes A Difference Day with Professor Adair, who spoke about the ACCESS Project outside the Capitol. They also spent time lobbying on behalf of the program and meeting with members of Congress.
For her senior seminar in creative writing, Nicole is working on a collection of poetry focusing on the lives of some of the people she's met. "To hear how these women are trying to do the best they can for themselves, and especially their children, is so touching. These women were hungering for a program like this, and now it's happening."
