To those
who found
a way to dedicate
University Partnership grad Sienna Wright finds a career path that gives her academic and work lives purpose
It was summer 2019 and Sienna Wright was looking for something.
The Early College High School graduate had already earned two associate degrees from Lorain County Community College and was building a successful career in network marketing. Thinking business was a natural fit for her, Wright enrolled at The University of Toledo through the LCCC University Partnership to earn a bachelor’s degree in business.
But Wright soon learned she wasn’t as passionate about business as she thought. She withdrew from the program, taking time off school to focus on work and her daughter, Lola.
But something was missing.
“Outside of being a mother and working, I felt like I didn’t have a purpose,” Wright says.
It wasn’t until that summer that Wright was ready to find it.
“That was the word of the summer – purpose,” Wright says. “Children look to their parents as role models and it made me reflect. I knew I had to model for Lola what it’s like to be committed to something, and to give your all.”
Wright went to church, prayed, and talked to her mentors. They suggested taking assessments to find her strengths and passion. Time after time, the assessments led her to mentoring and counseling.
Wright went back to LCCC that same summer, and a year later transferred to Cleveland State University through the University Partnership program. She took on a full-time course load while still working full time.
“The University Partnership is tailored toward the working individual. LCCC knows you have a life, children and jobs, and that you need to be able to continue living your life while you’re pursing your education.”
Sienna Wright - LCCC University Partnership Graduate
“The hardest part has been balance,” she says. “But I try to be really present for all the areas of my life.”
Wright says the University Partnership has made it possible for her to continue her education without neglecting any other part of her life.
“The University Partnership is tailored toward the working individual,” she says. “LCCC knows you have a life, children and jobs, and that you need to be able to continue living your life while you’re pursing your education.”
Wright graduated from CSU through the University Partnership program in December 2020 with a 4.0 GPA and was awarded the Outstanding Senior Award within CSU’s psychology department.
“Sienna is a highly motivated and dedicated student who is passionate about learning as much as she can about the field of psychology,” says Eulalio Gonzalez, Ph.D., professor of psychology at LCCC.
That passion came through when Wright found what she was looking for – a pathway that gave her academic and work lives purpose.
