Meet Scholarship Winner Katlin Bosworth

Thirty-four-year-old First Generation college student and mother of three Katlin Bosworth has been awarded a Friends of UWW Scholarship. Born and raised in Winchendon, Massachusetts, Katlin is completing her bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies following three associate degrees from Mount Wachusett Community College, where she now works as a student leader in civic engagement at the Senator Stephen M. Brewer Center for Civic Learning and Community Engagement. She looks forward to further applying her passion for social justice to her career in higher education.

Every adult student has a story. What's your story?

When I started my college journey in 2009, I was 18 years old, addicted to heroin, and sleeping in my car outside of the college just to make it to class. After barely making it through my first semester, I found the need for recovery, and after getting myself better I came back to college. I have had to take numerous breaks throughout my journey, including for the birth of 3 children, losing my mother and my father, and open-heart surgeries for my son. However, regardless of all the setbacks, I have been able to graduate with three associate degrees and the motivation and drive to continue going for my children. Today, I consider myself in an era of growth, and part of that involves continuing my education. 

What does winning this scholarship mean to you?

Winning this scholarship has given me the opportunity to take a breath. I spend so much time worrying how I am going to manage supporting my children in today's society, going to school, and working full time. It is hard enough to afford life, never mind affording life while trying to manage cutting hours at work to focus on studies, but also being able to provide for my children. 

What is the best part about being a UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student?

The best part of being a UWW student is that I am able to map out my degree in what will make me most successful in the future. There was no specific degree that covered everything I wanted to know, everything I wanted to learn, and everything I wanted to do in the future. However, with UWW, I am able to build my program to what fits my needs the most.

How do you balance work, school, and other responsibilities?

Currently I would say my balance is putting myself on the back burner. I know, not very healthy. However, I just try to schedule things hour by hour and sometimes minute by minute. I typically try and make sure I have 2 nights a week carved out for school, and the rest of the nights are organized by child and activities. It doesn't always go as planned, but I am making it work.

What are your plans for the future—professionally and personally?

My last semester of college at MWCC, I interned in the Brewer Center, where I am now employed. While doing this, I really discovered my passion for social justice and all that it encompasses. When I worked to relaunch the SOS (Students Serving Our Students) program and LINK programs at the college, I really understood the kind of work that I needed to "fill my cup."

In the future, I hope to continue my career in higher education. I love working in a student-facing role and watching students just like me grow and learn and turn into successful people. I hope to get more involved in addressing the school-to-prison pipeline, and to be a loud advocate for those who wish to participate in their education.

*The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the person being featured and do not necessarily reflect those of the University.
 

University Without Walls scholarships exist thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends.