UCC will open at 10am today.
UCC will open at 10am today.
When Gabriella Spencer moved to Roseburg, she never dreamed she would have her GED, let alone be in a two-year welding program. “I left a bad situation in Ohio, and I came here with nothing. I was in a homeless shelter with my son, who was just entering first grade. He was still in that place where he didn’t want to go to school. He wanted to stay at home with mommy all day and play, and I’m trying to explain the importance of education. While I’m doing this, I’m thinking, I’ve never even gotten my GED.”
It was when she was taking her son to school that she noticed the Woolley Center. “I enrolled for classes and received a GED in just one term. The entire time I was there, the staff kept asking what I wanted to do next. I thought my goal was complete, and I never thought I could afford to do more.”
Gabbi always loved building and wanted to learn how to weld, but she didn’t think she could afford the tuition costs while being a single mom trying to move out of the shelter.
“I applied for as many scholarships and grants as I could. So right after I was done getting my GED, they signed me up for the welding coursework for the very next term.”
Gabbi felt some anxiety going back to school after being away for so long, but she soon began to feel at home in the welding shop with support from her instructors.
“If I don’t understand, they will come up with a different way to explain it. If that doesn’t work, then they will come into the booth with me. They’ll watch me weld, or they will weld and let me watch them.”
While she is looking forward to the future, she will miss her classmates who are graduating this year. “It’s going to be sad to see the two-year people leave. We’re a pretty close-knit team. I can rely on their advice.”
Gabriella explained that she wouldn’t be in the position she is in today without the help of the Woolley Center and the faculty and staff of UCC.
“When I came here, I had nothing and a small child. I never want to be in that situation again. Everything I’m doing now is for my son—to show him that everyone can go to school and finish. I did it, and you can too.”
Learn more about the Welding program or how to get your GED at UCC.
