Success Stories!

We love the success stories when we can congratulate a recent GSC graduate who has just received a promotion as a result of finishing their degree. MaryJane Lavoie, our lead Rochester advisor, passed on this wonderful story about one of our students.

Lisa Merrill first came to meet with an advisor at “College for Lifelong Learning” in the summer of 2004. She was working at the State of NH as a Family Service Specialist II, and she had already earned an Associate’s degree from McIntosh College many years earlier. But she wanted to pursue her Bachelor’s degree to be able to advance within her department at the State. She took one course per term starting in the fall of 2004, and although her progress at times seemed a bit slow (at one point dealing with a back injury and the serious illness of a family member), she steadily completed more of her requirements each year, primarily taking her courses at the Rochester Center.

She did well in her courses and made the Dean’s List for 2006-07, 2007-08, and 2008-09. By the end of the summer 2009, she had finished the last of her degree requirements, and was conferred her Bachelor of Science with a major in Management, with an Option in Leadership and Strategic Management,

at the end of December. She graduated Cum Laude and plans to attend the

Commencement ceremony in June.

Lisa has recently been promoted to a position with the State of NH Health and Human Services offices in Concord. She will be starting 4/9/10 as the Administrator I for Q/C in the Department of Improvement, Integrity and Information. This position is federally mandated as part of reviewing Food Stamp and Medical Assistance cases to make sure the guidelines and required percentages are met.

Lisa indicates that “This move would not have happened if I had not returned to school to obtain my degree.”

The Rochester GSC staff congratulates Lisa on her promotion and we all wish her much success in her new position!