“Be a nice person, and always surround yourself with good people, too. When the going gets tough, we all need encouragement and support. Keep people in your life that you trust and who lift your spirits. They may need to lean on you one day, too.”
— Kathleen O’Toole
Chief of Police, Seattle Police Department
“Starting a college education is an exciting time, but it can also be very stressful. No matter how smart one is, there will be disappointments and challenges. When faced with an adversity, treat it as your best college professor: learn from it. Rewards of a college education are only bestowed on those who persist.”
— Dr. Shouan Pan
Chancellor, Seattle Colleges
“The best advice I have for overcoming adversity is to just keep chipping away at it. Many of the issues we face can only be fixed if we all keep working toward a better tomorrow, without getting discouraged that progress is sometimes slow moving at first. Keep fighting for what you believe to be right and good no matter what.”
— Congressman Adam Smith
9th District
“The Brain is a muscle. Thus, some academic “lifts” will be heavier than others. Keep pushing, keep believing, and you will achieve your goal. Also, please remember the saying: Life is 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent on how you deal with it.”
— Dr. Warren Brown
President, North Seattle College
“Get a goal for the mind. Stay completely focused. Let nothing deter you. When you succeed, give back to others, reflecting the community.”
— Nate Miles
Vice President, Lilly
“As you take on new responsibilities in your pursuit of a college degree or certificate and career this fall, you will undoubtedly encounter challenges along the way. Stay positive and never lose sight of your goals as you navigate that journey. Know that every difficulty you overcome will better equip you for success in the future. From all of us at South Seattle College, wishing you the very best at college this year!”
— Gary Oertli
President, South Seattle College
“Stay focused on your goals, ask for help when needed and surround yourself with positive people and experiences.”
— Sheila Edwards Lange
President, Seattle Central College
“When faced with adversity, the most difficult, but often necessary, step can be reaching out to ask for help or guidance. Find someone in your family, community, or school who can offer support while you pursue your education. At Edmonds Community College, we strive to create an inclusive campus community where students feel they belong and have access to support resources while they overcome life’s challenges and work toward achieving academic success.”
— Jean Hernandez
President, Edmond Community College
“Adversities in life are inescapable. Begin preparing mentally and emotionally to tackle these difficult moments. Trust yourself. You are a smart and influential human being. You have the ability to respond, grow, and move forward from these situations. Do not spend your life responding with hesitancy and anxiety from a fear of new and/or added adversities, but begin taking advantage of the lessons these circumstances provide you. Persevere and you will be rewarded with new strength.”
— Tanya Kumar
President, Associated Students of the University of Washington Bothell
“When I was in seventh grade, I was in a band class and three Caucasian kids made fun of my fake Izod shirt and penny loafer shoes. I felt stupid and embarrassed. Back then, I didn’t know how to deal with and I decided that all Caucasians were jerks. I drew a line between us and them, and that’s how I saw the world then. Today I realize that the same fear I had of them, is the same fear that caused them to tease me. I realize we all are more similar than different. From a place of compassion, it’s easy to celebrate diversity.”
— Thach Nguyen
CEO, Thach Real Estate Group