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Heidi Bauer
Earning excellent grades and obtaining honors student status in high school, it would seem that Heidi Bauer had a successful high school career. But because of constant bullying that school administrators could not stop, she was diagnosed with “school phobia” and quit high school at the age of 17. “This is why many GED students talk about dispelling the stigma of having a General Educational Development certificate. So many of us left school for a wide variety of reasons, most having nothing to do with our ability to succeed academically.” Bauer quickly began and completed the process of receiving her GED within four months of leaving high school. By the age of 29, she seemingly had everything a businesswoman would want-- a steady career in Louisville, Kentucky as a quality assurance analyst for a large credit card processing company. |
“I had a good job, my own home, and a new baby but something was just missing. I wanted more out of life and that motivated me to go to college.”
Her desires to hone her writing and pursue literature lead her on a journey to Kent State University.
With a father who attended Kent State University in the 60s and a mother who lives in the area, choosing Kent State became an option. After discovering that the university had what she needed as an adult student with specific needs, it was an obvious choice.
“I found KSU to offer the most things that I needed as a non-traditional student like family housing, adult student services, GED services, etc.”
One of the most important services that Bauer found upon entering Kent State University was the Ohio Literacy Resource Center’s GED Scholars Initiative. This program aids students who have received their GED with financial, social and emotional support on their journeys from GED to college graduate.
As a single mother, Bauer found support through the GED Scholars Initiative. She cites the program’s most comforting feature as having people to talk to, vent to, and laugh with while feeling an unconditional acceptance and non-judgmental attitude toward GED holders. “The GED Scholars Initiative understands the challenges that you face and treats you like an actual person and not just another body. I am in their debt for the support structure they provide.”
With Bauer’s leadership, a student-driven organization was created to champion the needs of students and work with the GED Scholars Initiative.
GUS (GED United Scholars) is a diverse group of students of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds, which meets with one goal in mind: eliminate the negative stigma attached to earning a GED.
“We unite together to share our experience and offer social, academic, and professional support to each other through our educational journey.”
GUS is just one of many organizations that Bauer is involved with. Though spare time is limited as a college student and single mother, she works part-time at the Kent campus library’s Helpdesk, is an editorial intern at the Kent State University Press, serves as web manager for Women’s studies, Sigma Tau Delta, Xi Mu chapter, and the English National Honorary Society, and is a mentor for the GED Scholars Initiative Bridges Program.
The Bridges Program, funded by the Dominion Foundation, supports GED graduates planning to attend KSU. Participants are given advice and information about procedures and processes for being accepted into college, as well as resources on financial aid, academic policies, and programs. Prospective students have the opportunity to ask questions and receive information on anything related to transitioning into and attending Kent State University.
Through her affiliations with GED Scholars Initiative and GUS, Bauer was asked to become a Bridge mentor. After completing a series of workshops, each mentor invites one or two participants in the Bridge program to accompany him or her in a day in the life of a college student. Through this opportunity, her two students were able to attend classes and ask questions about her experience as a college student at Kent State University.
“I enjoyed helping people realize they could attain their goals and dreams even in the face of adversity. I see a couple of my mentees from time to time around campus or at events, and it always makes me smile to see them still persevering.”
Her devotion to her academics and these organizations shows in her success. One of her honors includes being named a top twenty-five finalist and honorable mention winner of the 2006 Iris Chang Memorial Essay Contest. She has also earned scholarships along the way, including GED Scholars, Honors Academic, the Richard Toerne and Mildred Steiskal scholarships.
