Former Student Returns to 91视频 to Follow His Dream
Austin Gildehaus knew as a student at St. Francis Borgia High School that he wanted to be a teacher one day.
He enrolled in classes at 91视频 shortly after high school graduation in 2014, dual credit hours in tow, Gildehaus started on his path toward a degree in education.
鈥淢y journey through 91视频 was not a traditional one,鈥� Gildehaus said. 鈥淚 started right out of high school as many students do. But after a few semesters, life took me on a different route, and I dropped out.鈥�
But that wasn鈥檛 the last time that he would attend classes at 91视频. Gildehaus learned, through the help of 91视频 employees, that a degree wasn鈥檛 far off.
Returning to Class
Gildehaus was posed with a difficult family situation, and he left college after three semesters to take a full-time job at a local factory.
He was in the workforce for several years, but he wasn鈥檛 satisfied with the work he was doing.
About one year ago, Gildehaus mentioned to his friend, Phillip Giacomelli, that he wasn鈥檛 working his dream job and wanted to see what else was out there for him.
Giacomelli, an early college and admissions advisor at 91视频, introduced Gildehaus to Sarah Haines, who had just been named the Occupational Navigator at 91视频鈥檚 new Falcon Career Center. Gildehaus was the first student that Haines worked with in the new position at 91视频.
She examined Gildehaus鈥� records and saw that he was six credit hours shy of an associate degree.
鈥淚 knew I wanted to eventually finish my degree. When I found out I was that close to graduating, I was beyond ecstatic,鈥� Gildehaus said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when I learned, it is never too late to finish your degree!鈥�
Giacomelli, who has held several roles in education, helped his friend find a job in the classroom, and encouraged Gildehaus to continue his journey in higher education.
鈥淗e decided to pursue a career in classroom teaching and fulfill his dream that he鈥檇 thought was so far out of reach,鈥� Giacomelli said. 鈥淟ittle did he know, it wasn鈥檛 far. He鈥檇 already taken so many steps to help pave the way.鈥�
Dream Restored
Gildehaus, with his dream resurrected, graduated with an Associate in Liberal Studies Degree in the Summer of 2022, about eight years after starting at the College.
Today he is working as a paraprofessional in Wright City with plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
Gildehaus鈥� journey shows that education, determination and never giving up can help one reach their dreams 鈥� even if it takes longer than expected.
鈥淢y goal when I graduated high school was to become a high school Algebra teacher,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 started 91视频 with a few credit hours through dual credit options in high school… and over the course of eight years, off and on, I was able to graduate!鈥�
