By Rebecca Wyatt, OU Web Writer

Michele Minser isn’t a typical student. A divorced mother of three working two part-time jobs, she is gradually working her way to a degree in elementary education while facing the challenges of supporting her family.

Minser recently was recognized by Soroptimist International of Oakland County, which awarded $5,000 to her and four other local women who are the heads of their households and in college or returning to school.

After her divorce, Minser began attending Macomb Community College to achieve her dream of completing her college degree. She obtained her associate’s degree in general students in 1998 and began attending OU.

“I just really wanted to go back to school, so I did,” she said. “OU was close and I felt it would be a good school.”

Originally a psychology major, Minser changed her major to elementary education and believes teaching is her calling.

“I feel that education is very important, and I have children of my own that I’ve worked with in helping them learn things, and I’ve worked with their schools a great deal,” Minser said.

Working two jobs, supporting her family and paying for classes are obvious challenges Minser faces. She began looking for scholarships and was awarded the Soroptimist of Wayne County Award last year after finding the application on the scholarship bulletin board across the hall from financial aid, and she applied for the Oakland County award this year.

The Soroptimist awards help cover any expenses related to helping the head of a household attend school, such as tuition, books and childcare.

Minser said there are many challenges she faces that are harder to overcome. Her busy life limits her interaction with classmates and her ability to learn from them.

“I’m not hanging out with the people in my classes and getting ideas from them,” she said.

Minser still has a number of classes yet to go, but with the help of the Soroptimist awards, she is getting a little help.

For information on scholarships, visit OU’s Scholarship Web page or contact the Financial Aid Office at (248) 370-2550 or finaid@oakland.edu.