Working in a doctor’s office making minimum wage was not providing the life Tamara Novian wanted as a single mother.  In fact, it wasn’t until Novian became the mother of Zoe, that she realized how important an education would be to her future and that of her daughter’s.  After receiving a flyer in the mail about the Career Pathways program at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, Novian decided she could change the future for herself and her daughter by enrolling in school.

Novian, who lived thirty minutes from ASUMH needed help getting motivated for a return to school after being out in the working world for several years.  She also was nervous about balancing school and spending quality time with her young daughter. 

“Pathways offered me assistance with childcare and gasoline, and even gave me access to computers, tutors and printers at no cost.  I knew from the first meeting with Pathways employees that they wanted to help me get an education,” said Novian.  “Thanks to Career Pathways, I have worried less about my expenses and concentrated more on my college classes.” 

Novian, who would like to teach high school English someday, has a 3.89 GPA and has earned two Academic Achievement Awards at ASUMH.  This fall, she will be honored at the Arkansas Association of Two Year Colleges as the ASUMH Academic All-Star.   “Education is the most important thing in the world,” said Novian reflecting on her decision to make a change in her life.  “Trials and troubles are temporary, but an education can change everything for you.”  

Novian’s beautiful daughter Zoe is eighteen months old now and beginning to sound words.  Her proud mother smiles when she hears her sounding words like bird and blue.  “I’m not sure what I would have done without the counseling and financial assistance that Career Pathways provided me,” she says.  “You really can make a beautiful future for yourself through education.”