When Andrea Vergnaud first arrived at PennWest, she brought the perspective of past educational attempts that hadn't felt right. "I'm a non-traditional student. I'm an older student," she shares. "I had tried community college. It didn't work for me. It wasn't very inclusive." She arrived seeking a different experience – one where she felt supported.

She found that support through PennWest's dedicated structures. Early on, Andrea connected with Peer Mentoring. Having self-disclosed her autism, she was thoughtfully paired with another student on the spectrum. This initial connection became a catalyst. "That led me to get linked up with Supplemental Instruction," she explains, where she began tutoring Spanish and eventually became a graduate assistant for the program while pursuing her Master's in Special Education.

Reflecting on her start, Andrea admits, "I was very shy when I started." She credits key staff members and the programs themselves for helping her emerge from her shell. "Supplemental Instruction and Peer Mentoring really opened up my horizons," she states emphatically, explaining how tutoring others helped build her own confidence and connect with fellow students. These programs didn't just offer academic help; they provided a sense of belonging and purpose. The confidence gained propelled her into roles she might not have previously imagined, including tutoring at a local high school's afterschool program and securing a long-term substitute position in special education there.

Andrea also experienced the benefits of mindfulness and self-care integrated into the PennWest curriculum. She recalls a stressful summer orientation where her boss led a meditation session, teaching breathing techniques to find center. Later, a class exploring wellness delved deeper, requiring a gratitude journal and daily meditation using the Calm app. For someone who previously experienced dissociation and panic attacks, these tools were transformative. "That was life changing," she shares. "Anytime I'm stressed, find your center... it's very important."

Now deeply integrated into campus life, Andrea sees PennWest as more than just a university. "I call the people here my PennWest family," she says, highlighting the crucial role community plays, especially living an hour away from her biological family. Her advice to students, particularly those hesitant to seek help, is practical: find the tutoring center, attend campus events, and explore available resources. PennWest’s commitment to practical support and fostering an inclusive community empowered Andrea to not only achieve her own academic goals but also to become a beacon for other students navigating their own paths.