Student Earns Degree After Traumatic Brain Injury

Two decades after a car accident altered the course of her life, Jessica Howie, 37, who suffered from a traumatic brain injury, has achieved her long-held goal of earning an associate’s degree from Northampton Community College (NCC).  

“Graduating from NCC with a degree in biology is something I’m especially proud of,” said Howie. “Courses like organic chemistry pushed me to my limits, but they also reminded me of what I’m capable of. I believe that with determination and the right mindset, anything is possible—and I’ve proven to myself that I can overcome significant obstacles and still pursue my academic and professional goals.” 

As a sophomore at Pleasant Valley High School, Howie had her future mapped out. An accelerated student and standout athlete, she anticipated earning a field hockey scholarship. “Field hockey was my life,” she said. “I played year-round, even indoors during the winter off-season. I had planned to attend Rutgers or Moravian University.” 

In an instant, her life changed. Midway through Howie’s sophomore year, she was riding to school with a friend when the driver veered toward another car and overcorrected, leading to a serious accident. Jessica was ejected from the vehicle, suffering six broken ribs, a fractured collarbone, liver laceration, and a traumatic brain injury.  

“The first 24 hours were touch and go,” she said. Howie had suffered a subdural hematoma, commonly known as a brain bleed. She was placed in a medically induced coma for a few weeks due to the swelling on her brain.  

After being discharged from the hospital, Howie spent several weeks at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital, followed by weeks of outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions.  

The accident impaired her short-term memory, making schoolwork especially challenging. She also lost her sense of smell, a loss that she never regained. 

^{Howie after her accident}

“I essentially had to relearn everything—from basic skills to academic abilities,” Howie said. “I was similar to a toddler learning things for the first time.” She completed her sophomore and junior years but signed herself out of school during her senior year.  

“It was difficult watching my friends and teammates graduate ahead of me—I felt ashamed and left behind because of the time I lost in school,” Howie shared. “I made the tough decision to withdraw during my senior year. After leaving school, I earned my GED and later pursued a technical degree, which helped me take the first steps toward a career in healthcare.” 

After leaving high school, Howie completed a certificate program in dental assisting. She later earned her certification as a certified nursing assistant and technical partner, allowing her to dive further into the medical field. In her most recent position with Lehigh Valley Health Network, she had the unique opportunity to work in the operating room alongside trauma surgeon Rovinder Sandhu, MD, the same physician who had treated her following her accident. 

Howie wasn’t yet satisfied. Although she attended college off and on for a while, it wasn’t until later in life that she became truly committed to finishing her degree.  

“NCC is ideal for a working adult like me. As a community college, NCC provides accessible, affordable education with programs that are well-suited for professionals who are balancing work and school. I was looking for a school that could support my goals without requiring me to sacrifice my job or other responsibilities, and NCC seemed like the perfect fit.” 

 Driven by her strong interest in medicine and public health, as well as her background in medical and pharmaceutical work, she chose to major in biological sciences.  

“Pursuing this major felt like a natural fit to support my long-term goals,” she said. “Ideally, I would love to go into academic research, as I’m passionate about discovery and contributing to scientific knowledge. However, I’m taking a more flexible and practical path for now, planning to continue my education while staying active in the field.”  

Howie acknowledges returning to school while working is challenging on its own but doing so while managing a brain injury that affects how she learns and retains information adds an extra layer of complexity. The area of her brain injured in the accident plays a key role in memory, making learning—particularly in foundational science courses that require extensive memorization—much more difficult. 

“I had to put a lot more time into studying just to retain what I was learning. What helped me the most was NCC’s tutoring lab—both at the Pocono and Bethlehem Campuses. Without that support, I honestly don’t know how I would have made it through some of my toughest science classes. The tutors took the time to explain concepts clearly and from different perspectives, which helped me understand the material.” 

While she enjoyed the courses related to her major, introduction to philosophy stood out as one of her favorites.  It opened her mind and challenged her to see the world from different perspectives.” 

At Sanofi, Howie is part of a team serving as a vital bridge between the company’s research and development efforts and the medical community, helping to connect innovative science with patient care. She plays a key role in driving cross-functional coordination and ensuring operational efficiency, enabling critical projects to stay on track and aligned with organizational goals. 

“I’m actively exploring my next steps in education and career development,” she said. “While I’m not entirely sure where I’ll be in five years, I hope to have advanced into a new role—ideally one that aligns with the skills and knowledge I’ve gained through my degree. I’m also open to continuing my education to support my professional and personal growth further.” 

She believes her experience at NCC will eventually open more doors in her career. In the meantime, she’s enjoying having more free time to spend with her boyfriend, family friends, and her two dogs, Kojak and Kodi.  

Her advice for fellow students: “Stay committed and determined — anything is possible if you dedicate your time and energy to it.”