Northern Pennsylvania Regional College (NPRC) is excited to welcome back Brittany Grajek, a 2024 graduate of the College, as the 2025 commencement speaker. The Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 17 at Enchanted Beginnings in Corry.
In 2020, Grajek discovered Northern Pennsylvania Regional College’s Child Development Associate (CDA) course offered remotely. The course was not only the first step towards growing in her career but eventually signing up to become a part-time student in early childhood education. From the fall 2020 term to the spring 2024 term, Grajek balanced responsibilities as a mom, wife, student, worker, and friend. Certainly, it was a lot to handle, but she showcased impressive willpower in handling these responsibilities on her way to becoming a college graduate.
“Attending NPRC was truly life-changing for me and provided a foundation to pursue my passion for early childhood education. I gained the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this field. But it was bigger than just academics; my professors taught me valuable life lessons and instilled important values that have shaped who I am today. Overall, my college journey did not only prepare me for a successful career but has also equipped me with the mindset and tools to make a positive impact on the lives of young children. It took me some time, and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it was all 100 percent worth it.”
Today, Grajek is working at Meadville Children’s Center on a full-time basis. She currently has her own classroom working with two-year-olds. “I love my job and the kids I teach, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I’m privileged to impact young children and help them grow.”
Before returning to the workforce in 2024, she had stepped away from her career to improve her health. Throughout 2023 and into the early months of 2024, Grajek faced what seemed to be a chronic illness. However, after months of searching for answers, it was discovered that she had thyroid cancer and needed to have surgery. Despite all she was juggling, her grades never slipped as she graduated from NPRC with a 4.0 grade-point average and honors.
Grajek continues to be one of the College’s proudest champions and alumni. She is excited to share that enthusiasm and her story with others during the ceremony. “It’s a profound experience being honored as chosen to speak at commencement. You often don’t think that your life can impact those around you. It is my hope that I can encourage the graduates to go out and make a difference in their lives by discussing how through the hardest time in my life, I didn’t give up. Which every single person at that graduation can relate to. Most of them already work full time, so I am inspired to see them put in that effort and cross that stage. I plan to share about how NPRC helped me bet on myself. My experience wasn’t much different than their most complicated times of their life managing school, work, families, and life. We all make do with what we are given, and our journey is no one else’s. However, it’s up to each of up to make it count.”
For more about Northern Pennsylvania Regional College’s upcoming commencement ceremony, visit the intuitions website.
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