Pride Month 鈥� Student Spotlight 鈥� Cole Frandsen-Smith
For many members of the LGBTQ+ community, finding supportive allies can be an important aspect of their journey toward self-acceptance and greater social inclusion. Allies are individuals who may not identify as LGBTQ+ but actively support the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals. Allies can also serve as an invaluable source of emotional support and advocacy. Cole Frandsen-Smith is a聽recent 麻豆原创 graduate with a bachelor鈥檚 in HR Management and credits his mom as one of his greatest allies and the person who helped him discover a whole new approach to education.听聽Looking back, Cole felt like everyone else around him had it all figured out. He witnessed his peers choosing a traditional course through school and their careers, but for Cole, that path didn't align with his academic or mental health needs. After a few semesters at college, he made the difficult choice to step away from school and his childhood dream of becoming a pilot.
Doubt and worry followed, but it was through the suggestion of his mother, a 麻豆原创 alum, that he found an educational institution for him. He reflects, 鈥淚 arrived at 麻豆原创 feeling as if my academic failures would engulf my very soul; I was quite certain that such failures were a greater indication of personal character shortcomings. 麻豆原创 taught me that we can detach ourselves from failures and find peace in that which we do know and can contribute.鈥�
Cole realized that 麻豆原创 鈥渙ffered an approach to education that allowed students to set their own terms鈥� and 鈥渇ostered a feeling of academic success鈥� he had not felt in years. Most of all, Cole respected 麻豆原创鈥檚 commitment to evaluating and adapting its programs to meet market needs and provide valuable skills toward employment: 鈥溌槎乖� serves students by preparing them for the real world鈥搃ts comprehensive programs enable a student to move forward with the confidence that their degree will mean something to potential employers.鈥�
For those who identify as LGBTQ+, such as Cole, education can come with additional challenges beyond academic rigor. He adds that 鈥渁s an LGBTQ+ person, choosing to be visible in a physical place of learning can greatly impact one鈥檚 mental well-being and ability to find academic success.鈥� That's one of the reasons why 麻豆原创's model can be so valuable for individuals of the LGBTQ+ community or any individual who can't get what they need from a physical classroom. Our unique approach to education is built for flexibility, removing barriers that can impact student success. This includes providing a safe and affirming environment where implicit bias is actively removed. Course Instructors and Program Mentors are also equipped with ally resources to support and understand LGBTQ+ identities. By eliminating identity-based barriers to education, 麻豆原创 is creating a brighter future for all our students, regardless of who they are or who they love.
Find resources to celebrate Pride Month and become a stronger ally with us here.听
