Jeane Adams

Education has always been important to Jeane Adams ‘07, a bachelor’s degree graduate in behavioral science from Sao Paulo, Brazil. At a young age, it was apparent to Jeane that in order to build a bright future, she would need to gain an education. But without financial support, Jeane began working at age 10 in order to support her family and attend school.

Her hard work was beginning to pay off, but her dream of attending college was cut short when family circumstances once again forced her to choose work over school at the age of 18. When Jeane was 23, she met and married a UVSC student, Jim Adams, and moved to Utah. For five years, Jeane learned the English language and applied to UVSC.

"The small class sizes and knowledgeable faculty helped make it possible for me to succeed,” she said. “UVSC offers the opportunity to learn to everyone, no matter what your circumstance is.”

Unfortunately, Jeane was again to face another roadblock in her efforts to earn a degree. She was stricken with various health problems, requiring her to carry oxygen with her at all times.

“I wanted to finish school so badly,” she said. “But my doctor told me to quit. I felt so awkward carrying the oxygen on campus and I wanted to give up. But one of my instructors, Bonnie Davis, saw that I was struggling. She told me to keep my head up and encouraged me to keep going. It was the encouragement I needed – she still checks up on me.”

In April 2007, Jeane finally fulfilled her dream of earning a college degree. But her journey isn’t over yet. She has plans to go on and earn a master’s degree in social work so she can help others succeed as she had.

“I could not have done this without UVSC,” she said. “I am proud of what I have accomplished and I am grateful to UVSC for making my dream a reality.”