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Pathway to Pharmacy
January 31, 2020
Pathway to Pharmacy
Grand Valley State University Alumni Spotlight by Emma Schrider
Northern Michigan native Destiny Long-Scott thought she had it all planned out. She’d pushed hard through high school, and she’d made the grade. She’d applied to an elite Division 1 School and had been accepted. The way was paved ahead of her leading to the future her parents never had, until one day she received notice that she would not receive enough financial assistance to cover her studies. Destiny began to realize a new journey was about to emerge. Determined not to give up, she enrolled at Northwestern Michigan College.
“I didn’t really have any alternative...or a game plan,” Destiny remembers, but in retrospect can see the glimmer of a silver lining. She had originally intended to get her degree in political science, but ended up changing her major four times in two years. “It ended up being a blessing.” [Northwestern Michigan College was] way more fluid and cost effective.”
The limitation of her financial assistance set the tone for Destiny’s academic journey, and frugality was the name of the game. As a first-generation college student from a humble background, Destiny worked multiple jobs simultaneously to keep her dream alive. Living at home was also critical to her academic success. After completing her associates degree, Destiny seamlessly transferred to Grand Valley State University’s Integrative Studies Program in Traverse City.
Grand Valley’s Integrative Studies program allows access to courses that not only bring students closer to degree completion, but enrich life beyond the classroom. Destiny diversified her educational experience with sustainability coursework, and fondly recalls writing her senior thesis on solar panels.
“It shaped me better as a person.”
In addition to appreciating the support of teachers and faculty, Destiny credits her parents with helping her succeed. Her mother and father fostered a culture of strength and support, instilling in her the necessary grit to persevere and excel in her studies.
“They used to say ‘You’re gonna come out of this with a great life. You’re going to make it’.”
Destiny describes the battle for her education as a constant one, searching out lesser known financial assistance programs to make ends meet. One semester, she found that she was able to work enough at Buffalo Wild Wings as a server and at Walgreens as a pharmacy technician to take advantage of a savings matching program offered by the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency https://www.nmcaa.net/services.asp. The non-profit organization offers to match students two dollars for every one dollar to be put towards the costs of education, and Destiny was able to reach the maximum contribution of one thousand dollars saved over a six-month period.
Looking back, Destiny wonders, “How did I even do that?”
Now in graduate school to become a pharmacist, Destiny has found her direction. Despite having access to more financial aid she finds that money is still tight, but for a happier reason. During her time in Traverse City she formed a community and made a home with her boyfriend and their animals. When it came time to pursue her studies downstate, Destiny found that she simply couldn’t dismantle the life she’d created. She attempted to commute for some time, but when her grades began to slip she rented a space downstate and now works hard to maintain two residences. Two years into her pharmacy program she loves what she does, and the attainment of her dream is nearly at hand.
For more information about experiences at GVSU Traverse City and the Integrative Studies Program, contact Shannon Owen, Director of Northern Michigan Programs for Grand Valley State University at 231.995.1785 and at www.gvsu.edu/traverse.
Learn More About Integrative Studies Program