For Sherill Robinson, pursuing a college degree had always been a dream.
She grew up in Jamaica knowing the value of education, but financial barriers made it difficult for her to pursue a degree at home.
But now, as she approaches her graduation at Bemidji State University with a major in business administration and a focus on management, the first-generation college student has reflected on the journey that brought her over 2,000 miles, plus the generosity that made it all possible.
“My biggest motivator was my mom,” Robinson said. “She passed away in 2017, and I knew I needed a change. That’s when a friend introduced me to Bemidji State. The more I learned, the more I realized it was the right place for me.”
Moving to the United States was a leap of faith, requiring years of work and saving. Robinson had spent years in the shipping industry’s finance sector, where she managed disbursements, collections and receivables. But even with her savings, the costs of tuition, rent and daily expenses stacked up too tall. Thankfully, because of scholarships, that’s not where her dream ended.
“I’m not your typical college student. I’m a lot older,” she said. “I worked for years before coming here. I saved as much as I could. That’s when the scholarships came in at the perfect time. They filled the gaps that I wouldn’t have been able to cover otherwise.”
Robinson represents why donations are so important at Bemidji State. At BSU, 95% of students receive some form of financial aid, and your generosity has the power to change a life for students like Robinson.
Robinson is the recipient of the Welle Family/First National Bank Scholarship and the Sullivan International Student Scholarship, both of which have been instrumental in keeping her education dream alive. For her, these scholarships aren’t just financial assistance; they represent a belief in her potential from people she has never met.
Beyond her studies, Robinson stays busy working on campus at Memorial Hall and the Gillett Wellness Center. She is also involved in the International Student Organization, building connections with others who have taken a similar journey.
She admitted that adjusting to life in northern Minnesota has come with its challenges, especially the frigid weather.
“I hate the cold,” she laughed. “I’m used to just grabbing a T-shirt and heading out the door. Here, I have to think about the layers I must wear to stay warm. But despite that, I love the peacefulness of Bemidji. It allows me to focus on my studies without the distractions of a big city.”
As graduation approaches this May, Robinson is now setting her sights on the next step: gaining work experience in the U.S.
“My goal now is to find an internship or a job to get the experience of working in the United States,” she said. “Since it’s an international degree, working here can propel me to opportunities abroad or go back to Jamaica and help enhance my home country.”
To the donors who have made her journey possible, Robinson has one message: “The scholarships have helped, and donors help young minds grow and develop with that kind of generosity. They relieve financial pressures and burdens that us students have.
“It’s a very good thing, it’s a commendable thing that they’re doing.”