Dear Alumni and Friends of Berea,
My name is Liz, and I am a nontraditional biology student, teaching assistant in biology, and farmhand at Berea College. Berea defines a student as nontraditional if the student is a parent, married, and/or over the age of 23. I live on campus with my husband and two children at Berea’s EcoVillage, a nontraditional student living community. The opportunity to pursue higher education at Berea has been life-changing for my family, made possible by the generous support of donors like you.
I grew up in rural Appalachia, in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, where I developed a deep passion for animals, nature, human health, and agriculture. My parents worked hard—my father as a coal miner and my mother as a nurse—and while higher education was not always accessible, I dreamt of becoming a doctor or veterinarian. However, these ambitions felt distant due to the realities of life. As the first person in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree, I am determined to set an example for my children and show them that goals can be achieved despite the challenges.
Before coming to Berea, I spent 15 years working in food service and farming. I worked my way up in the restaurant industry and became the chef at the Purple Fiddle, a bluegrass venue and restaurant in Thomas, West Virginia. This role allowed me to create a farm-to-table menu, build relationships with local farmers and foragers, and gain valuable insight into the challenges of food insecurity and the need for sustainable practices. These experiences sparked a desire to return to farming and explore food systems more deeply, which led me to work on an organic farm where I met a recent Berea College graduate. She shared her inspiring story of Berea’s mission and the opportunities it had provided her, which planted the seed for my own educational journey.
In 2020, the world changed dramatically. I was a stay-at-home mother to my son while my husband worked. I had planned to return to the workforce, but the pandemic extended my time at home. As I reflected on our future, I realized that returning to school was essential for our family’s financial security and stability. With my children’s future in mind, I knew I needed to pursue higher education—not only to secure a better life for them but also to follow my aspirations and make a meaningful impact.
Berea College has given me more than just an education. It has provided a supportive environment where I can balance family life and academics. Before I even moved to campus, Dr. Sharonda Steele, the Associate Director of Nontraditional Student Services, reached out to guide me through the process of moving to Berea and settling into the EcoVillage. Dr. Steele, a nontraditional Berea graduate herself, has a passion for helping nontraditional students and continually strives to improve their experiences. Support from others like Jessica Powell, also a nontraditional Berea graduate, has been invaluable in helping me navigate the challenges of being a nontraditional student.
Living in the EcoVillage has been the perfect fit for our family, providing sustainable, convenient housing close to campus. The staff works diligently to offer programming and support for nontraditional students. The Boyd and Gaynell Fowler Child Development Lab (CDL) on campus has been a wonderful resource for my daughter, offering a nurturing environment where she has been able to grow and learn. These resources, combined with Berea’s commitment to student success, make this institution unique and an ideal place for nontraditional students like me.
My experience working at Berea’s farm has been another key part of my educational journey. The staff, including Farm Supervisor Janet Myer and Managers Bob Harned, Savannah Cherry, and Olivia Welch, have been incredible mentors, guiding me through hands-on learning in livestock breeding, cattle calving, and pig farrowing. I’ve gained experience in operating the College’s feed mill as well as in tractor work and building agricultural infrastructure, such as chicken huts for outdoor poultry. These opportunities have provided me with skills that will be valuable throughout my life.
In my second year at Berea, I was hired by the Biology Department as a teaching assistant (TA), where I work alongside other TAs to care for the College’s herpetarium and its reptile residents. This role has allowed me to deepen my knowledge of biology, particularly herpetology, and gives me the chance to bridge the gap between people and animals. I teach visitors about snakes, helping them overcome fears and misconceptions about these fascinating creatures.
Berea’s Biology Department has also been a source of support. My advisor, Dr. Neil Douglas, is always available to offer guidance, and professors like Dr. Lauren Ballou, herself a graduate of Berea, have gone out of their way to assist me and my fellow students with advice on graduate school and career development. Their commitment to students, especially in navigating the challenges of advanced education, is something I truly value.
As a biology student, I am deeply interested in the relationships between animals, ecology, environmental sustainability, food systems, and human health. My ultimate goal is to work in a field that integrates these interconnected areas to create positive change for both local communities and the world at large. I am passionate about understanding how ecosystems, human health, and the environment all influence one another. I seek to explore sustainable practices that promote healthy living, environmental stewardship, and the preservation of biodiversity. I aim to bridge the gap between scientific research and public education, helping people make informed choices that contribute to a more sustainable and healthier future.
Ultimately, my goal is to work in a field that fosters ecological balance, encourages healthier lifestyles, and promotes a deeper understanding of our place within the ecosystem. By focusing on education, research, and advocacy, I hope to make a lasting impact on both the environment and the well-being of the communities I serve.
The opportunities I’ve had at Berea—whether in academics, community living, or hands-on experiences like the farm and herpetarium—are what make Berea College so special. These experiences have provided me with the knowledge, skills, and support to pursue my long-term goal of bridging the gap between animals, humans, and the environment, with a focus on sustainability and global well-being.
Your support makes all this possible. I am so grateful for the opportunities Berea has given me. Without donations like yours, students like me wouldn’t be able to pursue our dreams and provide a better future for our children. Berea’s commitment to supporting nontraditional students and their families creates a pathway for success that would be difficult to find elsewhere. I am deeply grateful for your role in making my education—and the education of so many others—possible.
With gratitude,
Liz
Class of 2026
P.S. Your gifts make it possible for Berea to create the opportunities that have changed my life and the lives of my children. Thank you for your support. It means the world to us. By giving to Berea, your generosity is helping to transform the lives of students and their families.