I had an amazing experience at Virginia Peninsula because I was able to explore numerous possibilities without the financial stress.
As a homeschooled high school senior, Tabor Chapman was intimidated by the idea of going away to college. Virginia Peninsula Community College provided Chapman with higher education opportunities that were affordable and close to home. "I had an amazing experience at Virginia Peninsula because I was able to explore numerous possibilities without the financial stress. [The College] also offered an interdisciplinary course load that helped me discover the wonders of geology, economics and other classes I would have never taken," Chapman said.
Chapman earned an Associate of Science in Social Science from Virginia Peninsula in 2015 and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Art History at William & Mary in May 2017. "Never in my life had I thought I would be able to attend William & Mary, but Virginia Peninsula made it seem very possible. Through their transfer program, I was able to achieve this goal," Chapman said.
Chapman's passion for education was fueled by her mother, who earned a Bachelor's degree when Chapman was in high school. "She was an inspiration because she managed to graduate with honors, work fulltime, take care of me and pay the bills," she said.
Chapman juggled her course load at Virginia Peninsula with membership in Phi Theta Kappa honor society and book, poetry and fitness clubs. At William & Mary she was a member of Alpha Delta Gamma and Phi Beta Kappa honor societies. She was also a peer advisor, worked in the academic advising office and served as a writer and editor for William & Mary's art journal.
Chapman works at the Williamsburg Regional Library and plans to continue her education with studies in library science or art history. She aspires to be a reference librarian or a teacher. "Either way, I want to be involved in a career that encourages intellectual pursuit," she said.