Member Spotlight: “I want other members to know as long as you go out there and try, there’s no way you’re going to fail. “

I want other members to know as long as you go out there and try, there’s no way you’re going to fail. You just have to try and keep trying. Do it for yourself, not just for your children. This is an opportunity to further your education and ready yourself for the future. 

• Brooke Anne Phillips, UFCW member

Apply by October 12th to enroll in the fall semester.

One of the benefits of UFCW membership is access to a free college degree. It’s UFCW’s mission to give you every advantage to get ahead. That’s why we’ve partnered with Eastern Gateway Community College. Through the UFCW Free College benefit, you and your family members can now earn an associate degree completely online–for FREE.

Eastern Gateway is an accredited community college, a member of the University System of Ohio, and is one of the fastest-growing public colleges in the country. It’s an open access public college governed by the Ohio Board of Regents and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

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Brooke’s Experience with Free College

Brooke Anne Phillips is a UFCW member taking classes through the UFCW Free College program. Here’s what she had to say about the experience:

I found out about the Free College Benefit by looking at the union board in our breakroom. More people need to check out the union board!

So once I got information from the breakroom board, I went to the Free College website and I kept inquiring about it.

I asked what’s the gimmick? I talked to my union rep and they reassured me there was no gimmick.

I made an appointment with the college, and then I applied!

I graduated from school 9 years ago, in 2008. Seeing the breakroom poster was a sign that it was time for me to go back to school. I’d waited for so long, because it was too much money to go to school otherwise.

I’m studying early childhood education. Before I came to Clover, I was in childcare. I figured I could get a degree, and a higher paying job with more school under my belt. It’s a passion of mine to teach children.

The only challenge I am having is that you need to be very disciplined. You have to take the time out of your day to make sure you keep up on homework. I take one class a semester and I spend about 5 hours a week doing my assignments.

The College gives you due dates and they’re helpful because they help me figure out how to spend my time.

I’ve found a lot of support and encouragement from my department at work and from my friends and family. Thanks to their support, I just jumped right in.

The beauty of online classes is that you can make your own schedule — you can get online at 2 in the morning or 2 in the afternoon to take classes.

My advice to other members thinking about using their free college benefit: take a deep breath, take your time and realize that it’s going to be ok. Don’t overload yourself.

I want other members to know as long as you go out there and try, there’s no way you’re going to fail. You just have to try and keep trying. Do it for yourself, not just for your children. This is an opportunity to further your education and ready yourself for the future.