This spring I met with a woman studying nursing at Tacoma Community College. She was balancing school, a part time job, and a family. She told me that she was struggling with the costs of college, books, child care, and everything else. But she told me, as she approached her graduation, that her time at TCC had opened the door to a job offer and a way to support her family. She had enormous pride in what she had accomplished.

More from Derek Kilmer

View all quotes →