STC international student pursues education to make a difference
Student of the Week: Carolyn Dawkins
I chose STC because of its affordable tuition, diverse culture and welcoming atmosphere. It just felt like the right place to start.
Carolyn Dawkins, a 40-year-old international student from Jamaica, is proving that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. As a first-year student at South Texas College, Dawkins is working towards an Associate of Arts in Teaching, focused on elementary education, a passion she’s had since childhood.
“I love teaching kids,” said Dawkins. “I remember taking it upon myself when I was younger to teach the neighborhood children whatever I could, every Sunday evening. My passion has really been drawn from this experience.”
Her journey back to school wasn’t easy. After being out of school for two decades, Dawkins felt conflicted about starting college later in life. Growing up in a single-parent household with four siblings, Dawkins faced financial challenges, so after graduating high school she immediately started working to support her family. This put college at the bottom of the priority list.
Recently, it was her sister, who provided the encouragement she needed to return.
“Honestly, at the time, college wasn’t even on my mind,” she said. “But when my sister Marika, who also works in education, encouraged me, I started to consider going back to school.”
Even then, it wasn’t an easy decision. Dawkins said it took her more than 15 years of working and saving before she could afford to attend college. She finally enrolled at STC in 2024.
“I chose STC because of its affordable tuition, diverse culture and welcoming atmosphere,” she said. “It just felt like the right place to start.”
Leaving her home and family in Jamaica was one of the hardest parts of her journey. But Dawkins said her faith gave her strength.
“Starting college at 40 came with fears,” she said. “Would I be able to keep up? Would I be accepted? But I’ve weathered the storm.”
Today, Dawkins is thriving. She’s an honor student and has been invited to join several organizations, including Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the Good Neighbor Scholarship Program and the Society for College Leadership & Achievement (SCLA) Honor Society.
Balancing school and work haven’t been easy, but Dawkins is motivated by a desire to make a difference in her community.
“I want to impact lives—not just in school, but at home and at work,” she said. “It’s not where you start or how you start, but how you finish.”