Makayla Billingsley and Miana Mahaffey
Learning about “awesome opportunities, a chance to earn scholarship money, meeting new people from across the country, and taking classes to help understand the world around them,” were the reasons that two Richard Hardy Memorial School graduates chose to enroll in the Global Scholars Program, Chattanooga State’s Academic Honors Program.
Makayla Billingsley and Miana Mahaffey grew up as neighbors in South Pittsburg and both have decided that a career in nursing is what they each want.
Makayla chose nursing because her mother is in the medical field. “I am passionate about patient care and caring for others,” said Makayla. From the time she was a young child, Miana had dreams of being in the medical field, then as she got older, she became more informed about what it meant to be a nurse. “I shadowed some local hospitals and fell in love with the idea of being able to help people in their weakest state,” said Miana.
Being a Global Scholar student gives students the opportunity to gain a world perspective through deeper and more connected college experiences. Class sizes are small, allowing for in-depth discussions with professors and other honors students who share a passion for learning. An ACT composite score of 25, an SAT score of 1130, a high school GPA of 3.5, or a GPA of 3.5 or higher based on a minimum of 12 hours of college-level courses is required to become a Global Scholar.
Former Richard Hardy math teacher Aaron Basham and now retired counselor Mary Claire Hill, encouraged Miana to do everything she could while she was still in high school without overloading herself. “They are the reason I graduated from high school with 21 credit hours already finished,” Miana said. When both young women enrolled at Chattanooga State, advisors Juliette Biondi and Roni Abraham stepped in to continue that encouragement for both of them. “They have pushed me to reach my full potential,” said Makayla.
With a 4.0 GPA, Makayla just learned she has been accepted into the nursing program at Tennessee Technological University (TTU). This will further her career plans as she desires to earn a BSN degree and become a nurse practitioner.
Working three jobs and going to college full-time, Miana has managed to maintain a 3.894 GPA. She will graduate in December 2015 and also wants to earn her BSN in nursing.
These two hard working students want others to know that the Global Scholar Program has opened up wonderful opportunities for them and offered a better understanding about the world around them in a fun, interactive way. For more information on the Global Scholars program call 423 697-2648 or visit www.chattanoogastate.edu/global-scholars.