Meet Danni

Name: Danni Shifflett

Class of: 2027

Program: Master of Science in Psychology

"To the alumni and friends who made my scholarship possible, I want you to know that the greatest gift of your generosity is not what it does for me, but what it makes possible for others."

What made you choose Southern New Hampshire University, and what do you value most about your experience here?

I chose SNHU because I see it as a modern agora, where ancient dialogues meet contemporary dreams. The philosopher Epictetus once said, “Only the educated are free,” and here, I’ve learned that freedom isn’t just knowledge; it’s the power to transform adversity into bridges. What I value about SNHU is how, in a community of diverse paths, my personal journey has been genuinely embraced — from reentry to recovery to advocacy. It hasn’t just been a unique experience; it’s been a platform where my lived experience has meaning. In fact, it stands as proof that resilience itself is a kind of scholarship.

How do the scholarships and financial aid you receive make it possible for you to attend SNHU? How have they made a difference for you?

The scholarships and financial aid have been a lifeline, bridging the space between my responsibilities and my ambitions. They didn’t just make attendance possible; they made it possible for me to pursue my calling without sacrificing my family or my mission. Every bit of support has meant I could turn lessons into action, and it’s been the difference between dreaming of making change and actually doing it.

What message would you like to share with the alumni and friends whose generosity made your scholarship possible?

To the alumni and friends who made my scholarship possible, I want you to know that the greatest gift of your generosity is not what it does for me, but what it makes possible for others. Every person I mentor, every family I support, and every life I have the privilege to walk beside carries a small piece of the opportunity you provided. Thank you for helping create change that reaches far beyond a single scholarship recipient.

Tell us about your journey to and through SNHU. What inspired you to pursue your degree, and what are you most proud of so far?

My journey to SNHU began long before I ever entered a classroom. As a veteran, mother, person in long-term recovery from substance use disorder, and someone who has experienced incarceration, homelessness, and profound loss, there was a time when my future seemed defined by my circumstances rather than my potential.

I first pursued my bachelor's, and now I'm pursuing my master's degree, because I refused to let my worst chapters become my entire story. Education became an act of defiance against every statistic and expectation that suggested I wasn't going to survive. While earning my degree, I balanced family, full-time work, and a deep commitment to serving others impacted by substance use, mental health challenges, and involvement in the justice system.

What I am most proud of is not graduating summa cum laude; it is transforming my lived experience into a tool for service. SNHU helped me discover that resilience is more than overcoming adversity; it is using what you've survived to create opportunities for others.

How has receiving scholarship support shaped your experience at SNHU or influenced your future plans?

Receiving scholarship support has reinforced something I have always believed: when you invest in one person, you create opportunities for countless others. The support eased the financial burden of pursuing my education, but more importantly, it affirmed that others saw value in my goals and potential. It allowed me to focus less on how I would get through school and more on how I could use my education to serve others. As I continue my work in recovery, reentry, and youth substance use prevention, I view this scholarship not as the end of an investment in me, but as the beginning of its return through the lives I hope to impact.

Has a person, class, or experience at SNHU had a meaningful impact on you? Please share.

One of the most meaningful experiences I had at SNHU came during a research methods course. I initially proposed a project examining how stigmatizing attitudes shape support for harm reduction strategies. The topic was challenged because it was perceived as being primarily about substance use rather than the broader social factors surrounding it. As someone whose personal and professional life has been shaped by recovery, I found myself reflecting on the very issue I hoped to study: how assumptions and preconceived notions can influence the way we view people and ideas.

While I ultimately had to change my research topic, the experience left a lasting impression. It reinforced the importance of critical thinking, advocacy, and approaching complex issues with curiosity, rather than assumptions. Ironically, the challenge itself became a real-world example of why conversations about stigma matter. It reminded me that education is not just about finding answers, it is about examining perspectives, questioning biases, and continuing to learn from one another.

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