Kip’s Story: A Reason to be Proud

Kip first learned about Northwest Education Access during his second year at Seattle Central College. He shared, “At that time, it was kind of difficult for me because I was navigating essentially everything by myself, like getting through college, trying to figure out my housing, and finances. And so I was like, ‘I don't think I can do all of this.’ I needed someone who can help me.” 

That someone turned out to be NWEdA Education Advocate (now Program Manager) Hansell. 

“Just the fact that I was able to do it all, like, considering my circumstances that I had, I think that's something to be proud of.”

-Kip

Kip and Hansell worked together for many years, as Kip moved from community college into the University of Washington. Kip said, “Hansell helped me a lot with figuring out what kind of financial assistance I could get through the school. And just in general, like figuring out how to do scholarships.”  Kip was able to use these scholarships to help pay for his textbooks, as well as transit costs from Tacoma to Seattle.

While he attended UW, NWEdA also connected Kip with one-on-one tutors in chemistry and math who were able to meet with him virtually. 

As the first person in his direct family to complete a college degree, Kip was eager to succeed, and shared the importance of being able to rely on his relationship with Hansell. He shared, “I'm kind of the type of person where I just kind of need somebody to be there, just so they can help me like make me do the thing. I mostly need a motivational person.”

Kip, who graduated last year with a bachelors from UW, shares a moment with NWEdA that stood out:  “At the end when I graduated,and you guys had your NWEA graduation ceremony, I went to that one. Just looking back and like seeing it. I was like, wow, I really did this, and I'm really glad that Hansell was there the whole time to help me, help me out, because it was really hard.”

Now Kip is able to put that education into action. Just a few weeks ago, he started a job at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center as an Ocean Acidification Research Assistant. There, he works in a lab that studies marine carbon dioxide removal—a process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in the ocean—and its effects on marine life. 

Although Kip—who is also an artist—chose a STEM track for his education, he originally went to school for graphic design and still practices traditional art—you can find his work currently at the Dome District Gallery in Tacoma.