Against all odds, first generation student Helly Tial overcame many obstacles to reach her goals and accomplish her dreams. Drury’s CAMP program is just the opportunity she needed.
“For us first-generation students, you never really think about getting a degree, I mean you think about it, you dream about it, but it’s hard to come by you know; it’s not easy,” says Tial.
Born in Myanmar, under military rule, education and freedom were inaccessible. In 2005, Tial’s father left their home to apply for immigration in Malaysia. Not long after, in 2007, her mom escaped as well evading military scrutiny.
Tial, the eldest of three, spent much of her adolescence looking after her two younger brothers along with her grandparents. It wasn’t until 2009 that they met her parents in Malaysia. In 2010, Tial and her family immigrated to Houston, Texas, and soon moved to Springfield, Missouri, with a family friend just a year later.
In 2015, Tial graduated from Central High School with a two-year A+ scholarship. With no advice or resources about getting into college within her own immigrant community she decided to use her A+ scholarship at a local community college. It wasn’t the right fit for her. She sought something more, but wasn’t sure if she could commit to funding the expenses herself.
In the meantime, Tial took some time off school to help her parents sustain their sushi business, which was challenging due to language and cultural barriers. While helping them she also worked as a translator for Springfield Public Schools, translating at schools, hospitals courts and more.
During her time as a translator, through networking, close friends and community ties, a fellow ESL teacher at SPS told her about Drury’s CAMP program. With that colleague’s help, she made Tial an appointment with Monett’s site director, Rhonda Schilly, and CAMP program director Yezy Perez.
“Ever since orientation, I knew this was the right opportunity for me,” says Tial “I enrolled right away.”
She dove right in with a full class load each semester, including the summer, to earn her bachelor’s in business administration.
Although she was hesitant and unsure of what she had just committed to, she knew right away Drury was the right school for her because of the individual support it provided.
“I was so confused, but I had my own private tutor that helped me with my school work and a student advisor that I go to or call whenever,” says Tial.
She remembers relying on the program a great deal and credits everyone involved for her success.
After graduating in May 2021, Tial is working full time as a client relation consultant at a local bank. She hopes to gain banking experience, especially in mortgage lending, to guide and prepare to become a real estate agent.
Recently accepted to Walden University’s MBA program, Tial hopes to keep dreaming and reaching her goals which she says wouldn’t have been possible without Drury.
“By the time I graduate I am debt free and even have the job I always dreamed of,” says Tial “I feel like this is a dream come true; I think this is the best thing I’ve done in my entire life.”
About the CAMP program
Drury’s CAMP – College Assistance Migrant Program – is a program fully funded through the U.S. Department of Education and is designed to provide support, training, mentoring and academic counseling to the family members of migrant or seasonal agricultural workers. Drury was recently awarded a second five-year grant worth $2.375 million, following a successful implementation of the initial grant worth $1.9 million from 2016-21.
For more information visit drury.edu/camp or call at (417) 873-7879.
Story by Travia Harris ,Marketing & Communications intern.