Twenty-five years ago, a 36-year-old applicant for the upcoming PA class sat in my office, dejected. His application was deemed unlikely to succeed. He had spent his adult life working in a steel factory and had only recently returned to community college, struggling to earn B grades. Compared to the high-achieving students from top universities, he didn’t seem like an excellent applicant. Yet, his story resonated with my own past.

I recalled my own anxious steps into community college twenty years earlier. It was my first college attempt, and I was on probation to prove my academic potential. My high school record was dismal—a GPA of 1.8 and an incomplete education after my sophomore year. After drifting and serving in the Navy, I had completed a practical nursing program. Becoming a PA was my next challenge, but I doubted my ability to handle the rigorous, science-heavy curriculum.

Starting my first semester, I meticulously organized my life. Working full-time at night as an LPN, I woke at 4 AM after less than three hours of sleep to study. Success required immense effort, so I developed effective study techniques, compartmentalizing each subject and rewriting notes after every lecture. My schedule was unforgiving, leaving no room for error.

Terrified during exams, I was heartened by achieving a near-perfect GPA in my first semester. Despite celebrating these victories, I aimed higher. I out-studied everyone, dedicating every spare minute to my studies. This intense approach led to a 3.96 GPA at the end of my first year, and the following year, I was accepted into PA school.

This journey instilled deep empathy for those struggling to achieve their dreams. Even after earning advanced degrees, including a PhD, I never forgot my roots. My success stemmed from grit and resilience. I had to earn everything, driving me to develop study methods that helped me excel, eventually graduating second in my PA school class and thriving in a doctoral program. This sense of earning my place fueled my passion for remediation, helping underdogs who worked harder to succeed.

I championed the applicant I mentioned earlier. He entered PA school, graduated successfully, and became an exemplary clinician. More importantly, he became my best friend. Throughout my 30-year career in higher education, I’ve seen many like him. My unique past allows me to see their potential.