Meet Presidential Ambassador Gabrielle Lawson
Gabrielle Lawson is among four students participating in the College's Presidential Ambassador Program for 2022-23. She serves as an ambassador at the Hampton campus.
Students in the Presidential Ambassadors program commit to assist the College for 10 months by participating in events and working in various roles on campus. The program greatly benefits participants. It provides a $1,000 incentive and allows students to connect with their peers at events, which often leads to building friendships, according to Michelle Manfred, program coordinator. Participants are also mentored by the College leaders.
Lawson has her sights on a career in the mental health field and chose Virginia Peninsula as a path to that future. She enrolled in June 2020 having graduated from Norview High School in Norfolk 10 years prior. Here, the social science major shares a little about herself and her time at the College.
Why did you select that major? I selected social science because I want to pursue my career as a counselor-psychologist and be able to work with adolescents and young adults that are suffering from mental illness.
Why did you choose Virginia Peninsula Community College? Well, I chose VPCC as my community college because my best friend spoke so highly of the College. Also, I was new to the Peninsula and was tired of commuting back and forth to Tidewater Community College in Norfolk. So, I took the initiative after my father passed away in June 2020 to go ahead and further my education and start somewhere new and fresh. So, I applied to Virginia Peninsula and was immediately accepted at the College.
What inspires you in your pursuit of higher education? I am a first-generation college student in my immediate family, and I promised my parents that I would graduate and get my college degree especially after the death of my father.
How is your experience at the College helping you as you work toward your goal? VPCC has helped me a lot since I started attending the College especially with all the resources that the campus must provide. And the professors are very understanding that life may happen and are always willing to collaborate with you. It is like (this) is your family away from home.
What are your academic and career goals over the next five years? In the next five years I will be 35 years old, and I pray and seek that I would be a counselor-psychologist starting my own practice. Also, academically I hope that I will be working on my doctorate degree.
Would you recommend Virginia Peninsula Community College to someone else? Why? Of course, I would recommend Thomas Nelson to other people! The reasoning behind my answer is because of the amazing experiences I have personally had since I started attending the college after my breast cancer diagnosis.
What clubs or activities are you involved with at the College and in your community? I am a part of TRiO Student Support Services, Great Expectation Foster Youth, in addition to me now being a Presidential Ambassador. In my community I am a young adult mentor and youth pastor at my church.
What impact does participation in these clubs/organizations have on you particularly as you continue your college education? It motivates me to want to become a better student and adult. The amount of guidance and love you receive in all these programs that I am participating in has motivated me to keep striving for greatness and to never give up regardless of your situation because you never know the next person's story.
Are there any Thomas Nelson faculty members you want to mention for their extraordinary contribution to your college experiences? I would love to thank Professor (Anthony) Fotinos for being so kind and loving when I first received my breast cancer diagnosis and telling me about his mother's wonderful journey as a breast cancer survivor as well. Professor (Stacey) Schneider has always motivated me since I first started attending her classes in Fall of 2020, she never gave up on me as a student regardless of my situation. Mr. (Richard) (Hurst, former Disabilities Support coordinator) for always helping me with resources or guidance with my disability services. SaraLynn (Georgen, formerly of TRiO) has always welcomed me with a bright smile and her amazing personality, she had motivated me to graduate from VPCC with my associate and wants to help and guide me to choose the right four-year university after graduation. Mrs. (Sonja) Vega gave me that motherly love that I always needed since I first met her, and I am so grateful that she has welcomed me into Great Expectation Foster Youth and given me that extra push. Finally, Mrs. Michelle (Manfred). Thank you so much for allowing me to be the new Presidential Ambassador at the Hampton campus. That truly has shown me that you listened and cared about my story … I appreciate everything and look forward to our next 10 months together!