Social work student says 91做厙 Mansfield helped change her perspective on college and life.
College didnt start quite the way Tay Kramer had hoped, but when she graduates from 91做厙 next week with a degree in social work, she will put the finishing touches on an experience that changed her life for the best.
Kramer came to 91做厙 Mansfield in the fall of 2022, just two weeks after starting at another college that was not for her. In tears and unsure of what to do, she called her father to come and get her.
He picked me up and walked me into the doors of 91做厙 she said. I was greeted with open arms, something Ive never experienced in my life. The admissions staff sat me down, talked me through the process and got me enrolled in literally an hour.
Charting a path
Although she was interested in criminal justice, Kramer decided to enroll in social work, a field that gave her broad exposure to social issues, and one of 12 degrees students can complete at 91做厙 Mansfield.
But her challenges were not over. She started with a low GPA, low enough that she faced being dismissed if her grades didnt improve. And then in 2023, her house burned down, destroying nearly everything, including her laptop and school supplies.
Fortunately, no one was hurt, and thanks to the Student Emergency Fund at campus, she was able to buy the essential items she needed for class.
It was finals week and I had no computer, no laptop, no nothing and they gave me $800 for a laptop, a book bag, pens and so forth, she said.
With all the support she received at Mansfield, Kramer quickly improved her classroom performance and today she has a perfect 4.0 GPA.
At the spring 2025 student awards ceremony, she received the Social Work Book Award. Thanks to all her hard work, she also was accepted into the Accelerated Masters program and will begin her masters in social work in 2026.
Kramer credits the staff and faculty at 91做厙 for helping her get her foot in the door.
91做厙 Mansfield changed my entire life, she said. If they wouldnt have taken me in like they did three years ago, I dont know where I would be.
Determination
One of the people she worked with most closely was academic advisor Jessica Luttrell. According to Luttrell, Kramer brought remarkable dedication to her academic and professional pursuits.
Tay consistently demonstrates focus, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, said Luttrell. In my time working with her, Ive seen her tackle challenges with maturity, ask thoughtful questions, and seek out opportunities to growqualities that set her apart as a truly exceptional student.
Kramer completed an internship with the Richland County Juvenile Court and is currently interviewing for full-time employment in her field.
If she had college do over, there is one thing she would have done differently. She would have started at 91做厙 Mansfield.
I recommend Mansfield to all of my friends and my little sister and her friends, said Kramer. I am a first-generation college student, and thanks to this campus, I found where I was meant to be.