Karissa Mann’s Journey from Delaware Technical & Community College to GBC

Transferring from a two-year community college to a four-year private college to earn a baccalaureate degree can feel like a harrowing experience. Karissa Mann is attending Goldey-Beacom College (GBC) as a transfer student from Delaware Technical and Community College. It’s evident from initial interactions with her that she is an ambitious individual with sizeable goals. Karissa is in the throes of wrapping up her first semester at Goldey-Beacom College. As a transfer student from Delaware Technical and Community College, Karissa was eager to discuss her transfer experience at GBC.

Karissa takes a seat in my office, and we chat for a few moments before discussing her overall transfer experience. Karissa is quick to take notice of the Philadelphia sports paraphernalia littered in my office. It is at this point that she graces the room with her presence through her affable personality as she ecstatically displays her support for all the Philadelphia sports teams (primarily the Eagles and Phillies). During our informal conversation, Karissa mentioned to me how unique Philadelphia is in terms of the fan experience. And who can disagree with that statement?

“I am originally from Doylestown in Bucks County, PA,” Karissa said. I ask her the hard-hitting question any respectable journalist from the tri-state region would ask a Pennsylvanian: Wawa or Sheetz? “Wawa, no doubt about it,” Karissa replies in a matter-of-fact tone. I further confirm that she’s a devoted Wawa fan, as evidenced by her following response. “I am also not a fan of Royal Farms.”

Karissa is a foodie of Philadelphia cheesesteaks. When pressed on what she prefers on a classic Philadelphia cheesesteak, Karissa exudes supreme confidence with her answer. “Definitely wit onion,” Karissa replies. Jim’s is her go-to cheesesteak spot when she’s in Philadelphia. “What can I say, I am a sucker for high-quality customer service,” she says in an amused manner.

After exchanging a few stories on our experiences in Philadelphia, I motioned to start our formal interview conversation. Unsure of where to start, I asked an easy yet intriguing softball question. What brought you to Goldey-Beacom College?

Karissa pauses for a moment and ponders before offering me an answer. Her initial responses are intriguing. “The Delaware Technical and Community College (DTCC) SEED Extension Scholarship played a significant role in my decision to attend GBC,” Karissa said. She mentions how it was the perfect opportunity to fund her educational journey. Like many students, Karissa had to figure out how to pay for college independently. Her research on community college options exposed to her connected degree options with DTCC and GBC, which included a full-ride scholarship opportunity at GBC. Karissa mentions to me that the other reason she selected GBC was its welcoming community atmosphere. Karissa highlights the similarities between the college communities at DTCC and GBC. “DTCC was a community to me. GBC feels the same way.”

She continues with supplementary anecdotes about her experience at GBC over the last few months. “The school’s relaxed and friendly atmosphere made acclimating to GBC much more manageable,” Karissa remarked. She keenly points out the many similarities between GBC’s smaller school atmosphere and her educational experience at DTCC’s Terry Campus in Dover, DE.

Karissa says her first semester is going well.  She commutes to campus from her aunt’s house in Avondale, PA. When she’s not in class, she spends her free time exploring the area. Karissa expounds on the beauty of the surrounding regions of GBC’s campus. Karrisa thoroughly enjoys taking day trips to explore the local sights. “I really enjoy the area, it’s quite beautiful,” Karissa remarks in a reflective manner.

Karissa, a Human Services major, exudes enthusiasm for her chosen field. When asked why she selected this degree program, Karissa takes a deep breath. She explains that it felt like a natural fit, aligning perfectly with her existing skill set and personality. Her excitement is unmistakable as she comments, “It fits my personality and allows me to turn existing talents into employable skills.”

Another aspect of the Human Services degree that excites Karissa is the sense of community she feels in her classes. She emphasizes her ability to connect with faculty and peers, making the educational process even more enjoyable. “It feels like a community when I am in a human services classroom,” she says, highlighting the supportive environment at GBC.

When asked about her plans after graduation, Karissa’s response is immediate and filled with ambition. “I really want to do end-of-life care and planning, potentially a private practice down the road,” she says. “I want to make a difference in this niche field.”

Curious, I ask her what got her interested in such a niche field. Karissa explained to me how she completed an internship in Milford, DE, at a senior living center, which opened her eyes to the needs of senior citizens. This experience was a turning point in her career journey, as it solidified her interest in working with older adults to help them navigate the challenges of aging. I allude to the fact that Sussex County, DE, has a rapidly growing population of retirees. Karissa politely nods her head and explains that the current resources available are insufficient to meet the needs of this aging population, who may lack familial support to complete end-of-life activities such as medical care or estate planning.

Still engaged with the topic, I asked if the internship was a solidifying factor in devoting herself to this niche market. Karissa remarks that she originally wanted to do ministry work with children. Over time, though, she realized how easily she connected with seniors. “It felt like a better fit,” Karissa remarked. Her deep connection with the older generation is genuinely heartwarming. I mentioned to her that some people have an “old soul” and connect well with older generations. She agreed, saying, “That’s exactly how I feel when working with an older person.”

I ask Karissa about how well her financial aid experience went at GBC—always a natural question for an inquisitive director of financial aid. Karissa enthusiastically responds with, “It went very well!”

“The DTCC SEED was paramount to attending GBC,” Karissa said. She continues, “little to no debt from a college degree was a game-changer for me.” Karissa takes a few moments to reflect on how fortunate she was to have had this opportunity. “Many of my friends went to large, out-of-state schools only to rack up a lot of debt with little to show for it.” She mentions that her financial aid package at GBC made it possible to pursue her dreams. It also convinced her that obtaining a higher education credential was more than a possibility—it was a reality.

I sense Karissa is a busy person. My next question is a simple yet reflective one: How does Karissa manage school, work, and other obligations every week without falling behind or feeling burnt out?

“I rely on family and friends for support,” Karissa said. “I also enjoy what I do with school and work, so it’s much more manageable,” I ask Karissa where she currently works, and she proudly tells me she is a manager at Fifer Orchards in Camden, DE. “Collecting relevant work experience matters to me,” Karissa utters in a cheerful tone.

As our discussion is nearing its end, I ask Karissa where she wants to be in ten years. She pauses before providing me with a complete answer. As she begins to offer a reply, I can sense the heartfelt nature of her contemplation. “I want to be known as a person who works well with the community that I am in.” Karissa is a firm believer in having diverse and expansive work experiences to become a better employee and a more well-rounded person.

As I wrap up the interview, Karissa provides me with a few parting words that showcase how amiable a person she is on the inside. “I am truly thankful for the opportunity to come to GBC and the community I have plugged myself into.” She continues with a slight crack in her voice. “I appreciate that GBC recognized my hard work at DTCC, and now, during my educational experience at GBC.”

I asked Karissa who her first connection to GBC was. She said it was a friendly admissions representative named Brittany Hobbs. “Brittany was easy to talk to and quelled any concerns I may have had about transferring to GBC.”

As we begin to walk out of my office, Karissa mentions that she is now spreading the gospel of a GBC education to anyone who will lend her an ear. “I talk positively of my experiences at GBC all the time,” she says in a joyful rejoinder. I asked her if she’s now a walking billboard for GBC. Karissa responds jokingly with a zealous reply of “yeah, exactly!”