KnowHow2GoKy

Adults - Kentucky college success stories - Maria Church of Georgetown, Kentucky

Navy vet and mom of two transfers to study geography

Meet Maria ChurchMaria Church, of Georgetown, is a mother of two, a navy veteran and a graduate of Bluegrass Community and Technical College. Maria graduated BCTC in May 2007 with her associate of arts and associate of science degrees, earning a cumulative 4.0 grade point average.

While at BCTC, she served as president of the Alpha Phi Kappa Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, BCTC’s international honor society, and volunteered for the Hispanic Outreach program, the Peace & Justice Coalition, Fayette County Relay for Life, God’s Pantry food drives, and was classroom volunteer at Anne Mason Elementary.

In 2007, Maria was named Kentucky’s New Century Scholar and received a $2,000 scholarship and special recognition by representing the Commonwealth in the opening ceremonies at the American Association of Community Colleges Convention in Tampa, Fla.

After graduation, she successfully transferred to Eastern Kentucky University to pursue her bachelor’s degree in geography, where she is currently enrolled in the Honors Program and beginning this fall, will be receiving a full-tuition scholarship through the College of Arts and Science.

In addition to attending school full-time and caring for her family, Maria works part-time in the EKU geography department. “While I do place a great deal of importance on my personal educational goals, my first priority is to prepare my children for their own futures,” says Maria.