CBC student honored for overcoming obstacles

A Richland mother who enrolled at Columbia Basin College after nearly 30 years of raising six children was among those honored recently for overcoming barriers to pursue an education.

Susan Bradley was among 34 community and technical college students to receive the Transforming Lives Award from the Washington State Association of College Trustees at a ceremony in Olympia, a release said.

Bradley had planned to look for a job after her children had grown but needed a position offering more than minimum wage as her husband had been unable to find work and his unemployment benefits had run out. She opted to enroll in a few courses at CBC in the summer of 2014 to enhance her resumé.

Despite the financial uncertainty of going to class without an income, Bradley was able to get extra financial aid to complete a degree in business administration. Her husband was then able to find work and she continued her education, picking up a one-year accounting certificate.

Bradley was eventually recruited by one of her instructors to work as an account specialist in his own firm. She’s also now working on a bachelor’s of applied science degree in healthcare administration.

“Susan is a poster child of what our community colleges do best,” wrote CBC board Chairwoman Sherry Armijo to the college trustees association.

This story was originally published February 2, 2016 at 5:21 PM with the headline "CBC student honored for overcoming obstacles."