“I always wanted to go to Penn,” says Deborah Seeley, who grew up in a small town outside Atlanta, Georgia. “It just took me a while to get here.” In that time, Deborah faced many challenging situations, which contributed to the path she’s choosing for her life.

Deborah’s dream—empowering women to move forward and up into positions of influence in their communities—brought her to Penn as a Social Sciences major through the College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS). “It starts with helping women believe in themselves and gain the education they need to succeed. I’m an example of that myself,” says Deborah. “I realized very early that life is difficult and that I have to depend on myself. But that reality also made me stronger. I always held onto hope, worked hard in school, and knew education would be a way I could help others, too.”

Deborah’s path to Penn, while uniquely her own, reflects a drive toward education and career fulfillment found among many students who benefit from programs in the College of Liberal and Professional Studies. After coming to Philadelphia to study at another university, Deborah found it wasn’t providing the rigorous and stimulating intellectual challenge she sought. And then, there was the issue of cost. “I came from a background of very limited means and just never felt I could afford to attend a school like Penn,” says Deborah. “But I found myself in Philadelphia working in a local business that supported my taking work-related classes at Wharton. That’s when I learned about LPS, although I was still concerned about paying the tuition.”

Ever resourceful, Deborah applied for a Bread Upon the Waters scholarship. When she received it, Deborah gave up her full-time job to attend school and continue her work with the Philadelphia Women’s Society, a group she founded in 2005. Eventually, the Rev. Dr. Beverly Dale at Penn’s Christian Association contacted her. Dale knew of Deborah’s work with women in the community and offered her the role of part-time coordinator for the PassionWorks program, which focuses on women and sexual justice issues. Deborah says, “When I pursue my passions, opportunities show up that keep me moving forward, allowing me to continue on that path.”

In the year since receiving the Bread Upon the Waters scholarship, Deborah recognizes valuable ways she’s changed. “I’m happier and more confident. I feel like my life is on track and going smoothly.” The Bread scholars also provide an important network and support system.

Deborah’s two favorite courses, Ethics and Feminist Philosophy, are taught by Milton W. Meyer. At first, Deborah admits, she found the classroom experience a bit intimidating. As she continued, her confidence grew, and she felt more comfortable and intrigued by the topics presented. “Professor Meyer teaches with an intensity that reflects his passion for the issues. His course on ethics was the first that made me question and re-evaluate my beliefs on certain social issues I felt very strongly about,” says Deborah. “The course provides the tools to examine one’s thinking, support one’s positions, or change those positions with defensible reasons.”

Deborah appreciates how professors at Penn who teach in the bachelor of arts program really care about students. "They're willing to talk to you and help you any time. They have an amazing academic drive-always striving toward excellence-and that brings out the best in me."

In her courses through LPS, Deborah enjoys the interesting mix of backgrounds and life experiences students bring to class. “It’s very fulfilling to be in classes with people who want to learn and who have an appreciation for acquiring knowledge. Many of us are older students, and LPS offers an opportunity some of us thought was lost—to return to school for a high quality education. Not everyone is able to go to college at age 18, and it gets more difficult to return the older you are. Penn’s LPS program showed me that school is even better now because I’m more mature and I have a clearer sense of what I really want to do with my life. The learning process is richer, and I appreciate it more. It’s never too late to pursue a degree.”