Kathleen Camp
Kathleen Camp is perhaps the absolute outlier among hundreds of Ferris State University students ready to receive degrees in Fall 2023.
She graduated from Elisabeth Ann Johnson High School in Mount Morris in 2002 and earned a graphic design and website design certificate from the Genesee Area Skill Center.
“I am equally proud to hold an Associate of Applied Science degree in social work from Mott Community College.”
None of those factors are far from the possibilities for a Ferris graduate, but Camp’s pursuits and opportunities changed over a considerable period owing to several circumstances.
“I worked for a number of years and was married while I studied psychology at the University of Michigan-Flint,” Camp said. “I was very close to completing my psychology degree at nearby Rochester University but had to set that aside to care for my mother while she was being treated for cancer.”
Another notable point in Camp’s journey to complete her college education is the time between those studies in psychology and her cluster of involvements at Ferris, as she will complete a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies this December.
“The intention as I came to Ferris was to earn a degree through the College of Business, in line with my interests in nonprofit leadership,” said Camp, who is graduating from the College of Arts, Sciences and Education. “That degree would have required me to be with the university for an additional year, and assuming loans to meet that goal was not manageable. As a first-generation college student, Ferris State’s staff directed me to seek support from the State of Michigan’s Foster Youth Initiative, which was never brought to my attention at the U of M-Flint or Rochester University. I had been out of college since 2007 but was focused on having my child see the route to a college degree exists once we know ourselves and consider our future.”
The Camp family came to Big Rapids in the late spring of 2023 to accomplish that goal, with more logistical and personal obstacles to overcome.
“I have been dealing with disabilities for more than a decade and required three surgical procedures since I arrived in town,” Camp said. “Since all my coursework is online, that gives me some latitude in how I approach my studies, but I began with no orientation to campus and learned quickly that I had to be my own advocate. I hope my graduating peers can understand that no matter how you come to Ferris, any frustrating or repetitive situations can be addressed by working with the appropriate parties on campus. I became familiar with office staff and appreciated the help I received from Anne London in Academic Services with the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education. Trying to wrap up my studies in just two semesters meant beginning with the courses to satisfy residency requirements so I could move on in my degree program.”
A summer of Business classes in Management, Agile Leadership, Team Dynamics and Marketing was followed by courses including the capstone for an Integrative Studies degree in the fall semester, where Kathleen examines operations at Ferris’ Rock Café.
“The First-Gen (students first in their family to attend college) Initiative staff in the College of Retention and Student Success, along with leadership in the Career and Professional Success office, have been very supportive,” Kathleen said. “I am certainly one of the older First-Gen students, as I complete all required coursework necessary to graduate. The CAPS office has worked to help me identify and consider my options. I sometimes thought that no one believed I would ever finish this degree, but I am proud to say it is coming together.”
Kathleen has a job in Dining Services and another part-time position while she completes weekly training sessions each Saturday to gain certification as a tax preparer. Camp said the level of time management and perseverance this requires can be burdensome, but she sees the experience as an important one for her own sense of achievement and as an example for her child.
“What I gain by earning this degree is for the both of us,” Camp said. “My parents and grandparents have passed away, so I work with my child’s father to strike a balance as we both want to provide the best possible situation going forward. My getting to commencement will be a special day for both of us, it’s exciting to think about and discuss.”
With all that on her plate, it would seem Kathleen had no time for other involvements. As it turned out, visiting her CAPS mentor to the Student On-Campus Job Fair in August added to her experience and learning as a Bulldog.
“I made contact with a Ferris State Torch’s leadership team member and shortly after that, they reached out to me,” Camp said. “I have never been involved in journalism before, so taking on Associated Press rules of writing and jumping into the life of a weekly newspaper has been all new to me. This has allowed me to produce an opinion editorial and a good deal of other story content. The critiques and the editing elements that are part of developing a feature or news story have been useful experiences, as I consider my career options.”
The First-Generation student group presented “Faces of First Gen,” an exhibit that was offered Nov. 1-11 in the Ferris Fine Art Gallery. Kathleen was a contributor, offering a photographic display.
“I took random photos around campus to find something beyond myself,” Camp said. “As an online student, I have spent a great deal of time at home, focused on my laptop. With that being a big part of my Ferris experience, I went out intending to give a unique perspective of the campus to those who travel through it regularly. I tried to keep my eyes open for and capture some of the unique aspects of what is out there.”
Camp was approaching some significant demands on her time and effort as the Fall 2023 semester ended, but those logistical issues were alleviated, as she was accepted into a Ferris State graduate school program in the weeks before commencement.
“We were facing the prospect of having to move off campus literally hours after receiving my diploma along with finding a job to supplement my income,” Camp said. “With my degree complete and my journey in education continuing at Ferris, my daughter and I can fully enjoy the moment and our holiday break, which is a great relief for both of us.”
Commencement ceremonies are on Friday, Dec. 15, on the Big Rapids main campus.