Angela Collins, Liberal Arts & Psychology Student

Angela Collins had always wanted a career. Then she took on the most important job in the world: being a mother.

Collins raised four sons and taught them that education is important. All four went on to college. Now, when others her age have things like retirement and world travel on their minds, Collins is working on obtaining an associate's degree in psychology. And while she's looking forward to the moment she'll walk across the stage at graduation this year, she already expects to miss the home she's found at NCC.

"I'm so comfortable here. I have been since day one," says Collins. "I'm having a ball and the students are so nice and respectful. It's like I'm on their wavelength. I have sons in their age group and so I know how to relate to them, and they relate to me. A lot of the time, I can't walk down the hall without one of them coming over and hugging me."

Collins has always been an outgoing person and is a longtime volunteer with her church and in her community. It's that facet of her personality that has also kept her interested in psychology. Life experiences have taught her to study people and how they think, but it's the environment she found at Northampton that has nurtured that interest.

"I got a good advisor who set me up with a bunch of good teachers. I got encouragement and I learned a lot," Collins says. "I love learning. I do get my work done and I take pride in being an 'A' student. I've gotten rejuvenated."

Being willing to try new things while she finally received the education she had always wanted was what propelled Collins to try an online learning class during her time at NCC. Because of the rapid pace at which online courses can tend to move, she discovered that her forte is actually attending classes face-to-face…but she did discover that she works well under pressure. No matter the environment, she's learning, which is what she wanted above all else. The knowledge enables her to continue giving back to others.

"After I graduate, I would expect an opportunity that would encourage me to go forward. Even if people just spoke about me through word of mouth, that would be a great opportunity…if I'm asked to bring my offering to the community," says Collins. "If that doesn't happen, I hope, through friendly conversation, to contribute to the well-being of others. I feel more professional in a sense as a result of receiving a degree."