Meet Christina

Name: Christina Wallace

Class of: 2027

Program: Bachelor of Arts in Human Services w/ a conc. in Child & Family Services

"Your gift is truly making a difference in my life, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity it has given me to continue my education and pursue a career helping others."

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

I chose Southern New Hampshire University because the flexibility of the online program fits my life as a working parent without sacrificing the quality of my education. SNHU has given me a supportive environment where professors actually understand real‑life responsibilities. I value how the school encourages growth, confidence, and independence. My experience here has shown me that I can balance school, work, and family while still achieving big goals.

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 I receive are the reason I’m able to attend SNHU at all. As a single mother of two, paying for college out-of-pocket would be impossible, and this support removes a burden that would otherwise stand in my way. Financial aid has allowed me to focus on my classes instead of worrying about how I’m going to afford them. It has made a real difference in my life and my children’s lives by giving me the chance to build a better future.

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

I want to thank you sincerely for your generosity and for believing in students like me. Your support has opened doors that I never thought I would be able to walk through, especially as a single mother working hard to build a better future for my family. Your gift is truly making a difference in my life, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity it has given me to continue my education and pursue a career helping others.

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 with a simple but powerful goal: to build a better life for myself and my two children. As a single mother working full-time, going back to school felt overwhelming at first, but I knew that earning my degree was the key to creating stability and opportunities for our future. I chose SNHU because the accelerated online format allows me to balance work, parenting, and school in a way that fits my life, while still challenging me academically and helping me grow.

I am pursuing my Bachelor of Arts in Human Services with a concentration in Child and Family Services, and I expect to graduate in December 2027. My experience at SNHU has been incredibly positive. The structure of the courses, the support from instructors, and the flexibility of the program have all helped me stay focused and motivated, even during stressful times. I graduated from Prospect Mountain High School here in New Hampshire, and returning to school as an adult has been one of the most meaningful decisions I’ve made.

What inspired me to pursue my degree is my desire to help children and families who are facing difficult circumstances. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I plan to continue my education and earn my master’s in social work. I want to be someone who provides support, advocacy, and guidance to those who need it most.

What I am most proud of so far is simply that I am doing this. I am raising two children, working full-time, and still pushing myself forward academically. Money is tight, and I worry about bills every day, but I haven’t let that stop me. I am proud of the GPA I’ve earned, the consistency I’ve shown, and the example I’m setting for my children. I want them to see that even when life is hard, you can still work toward something meaningful. I want them to be proud of me — and I want to be proud of myself.

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

Receiving scholarship support has had a tremendous impact on my experience at SNHU and on my future plans. As a single mother raising two children while working full-time, life can be overwhelming. Money is very tight, and I worry about bills every day. There have been moments when I questioned whether I could continue pursuing my degree because of the financial pressure. This scholarship eased that burden in a way that allowed me to breathe, refocus, and stay committed to my education. It has given me the stability I needed to keep moving forward, even during stressful times.

This support has also influenced my future plans by strengthening my confidence and reminding me that others believe in my potential. I am pursuing my Bachelor of Arts in Human Services with a concentration in Child and Family Services, and I plan to continue on to earn my master’s in social work. Knowing that someone invested in my education motivates me to work harder, maintain a high GPA, and build a future that my children can be proud of. This scholarship has not only helped me financially — it has encouraged me emotionally and academically. It has made me feel seen, supported, and capable of achieving the goals I’ve set for myself and my family.

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

One of the most meaningful experiences I have had at SNHU came during one of the hardest periods of my life. Since beginning my degree, I lost both of my parents less than a year apart. Navigating that grief while raising two children, working full time, and continuing my education felt overwhelming. During both losses, my academic advisor, Caitlin Huertas Velasquez, showed me a level of kindness and compassion that I will never forget. She listened to me, allowed me to express my emotions, and spoke with me at length about motherhood, resilience, and the work it takes to build a better life. A few weeks later, I received a blanket with the SNHU logo and a handwritten card from her. That small gesture meant more than she knew. It reminded me that I wasn’t alone, that SNHU truly cares about its students, and that I could keep going even when life felt unbearably heavy. Her support made a lasting impact on me and strengthened my commitment to finishing my degree.

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