"This is going to be a scary experience, but it's worth it."

That is the honest reality Donna Jean "DJ" Thomas faced when she began her collegiate career. Hailing from Smithfield, Pennsylvania, DJ was no stranger to the university atmosphere before enrolling. Growing up, she spent countless weekends on campus for dance competitions and sports tournaments.

"This just already felt like home," she said.

Moving from visiting campus to living on it as a first-generation college student, however, was a different challenge entirely. The pressure to succeed was palpable. DJ recalls the internal fear of the unknown.

"I was just really, really, really hoping that I would have such a good experience here, because I didn't know how I was going to manage," she said.

She didn't just manage; she thrived. DJ channeled her energy into Track & Field, finding structure and a second family in her team. She credits her coaches for reshaping her mindset, noting that without them, her "perspective on life in general wouldn't be what it is today." This support system gave her the confidence to pursue a major in Early Childhood Education.

For DJ, the "Power of PennWest" lies in the people who recognized her potential when she felt unsure. From the TRIO Student Support staff like Laura Giachetti, who acted as a "mom in a way," to faculty like Professor Langley who modeled what true teaching looks like, DJ found a community that refused to let her fail.

Now, she views her education as more than just a degree; it is a personal victory.

"You're going to go through this journey, but that's the thing – it’s  a journey, and it's yours," she affirmed.

DJ is proof that with hard work and the right support, the scary leap into higher education is the most rewarding risk you can take.