CHARISSA CAMPBELL: FINDING A NEW PASSION

Charissa Campbell, AA 2016, AAS 2021, was 26, unhappy and looking for direction in her life. She wanted to find her passion and that's when she decided to return to Salt Lake Community College.

Campbell had earned an associate's degree in general studies with an emphasis in American Sign Language from SLCC in 2016 but later found a love for interior design and knew that was the path she was meant to follow.

"I decided to go back to SLCC because it was more reasonably priced than other colleges," she recalled. "I knew that SLCC has some amazing teachers and that I'd be getting a quality education. So, with about a hundred dollars to my name, I signed up for classes in the fall of 2019."

In the spring of 2020, Campbell's financial situation took a turn for the worse due to COVID-19. With health restrictions that limit her ability to work and both her parents out of a job because of the pandemic, Charissa wasn't sure how she was going to pay for college.

With dedication and perseverance, Campbell was granted the Sarah Elizabeth Kunz Memorial Interior Design Scholarship, which honors the memory of Sarah Elizabeth Kunz (1981-2013), a former interior design student at SLCC. Only one student is awarded the scholarship each year.

"Receiving this scholarship helped pay for my classes as well as my books and school supplies," said Campbell. "I didn't dread graduating because I knew I wouldn't have thousands of dollars of debt hanging over my head."

In 2021, Campbell earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in interior design from SLCC.

"This scholarship was a huge blessing to me and my family and I'm so grateful that I was able to be a recipient," expressed Campbell. "I have truly been blessed and I don't take anything for granted."

Help SLCC Spread the Word about Giving Day