Success Stories
From
Illiteracy to University: A Very Determined Woman Finds Her Way
by Gloria Biersdorff
 |
Anita
Cross, who struggles with learning disabilities, has persevered
to earn an associate of arts transfer degree at age 55, while helping
care for her autistic grandson. |
"I've come from illiteracy to fluency through the help of LCC," says 55-year-old Anita Cross, who has battled learning disabilities and a speech impediment since early childhood. The 2003 Lane Community College graduate will enter the University of Oregon next fall as an associate of arts Oregon transfer student double-majoring in computer science and political science, with a minor in English.
"The teachers here care about their students, put them first. If you have half-an-inkling to succeed, they will push you toward the rest," says Cross, who has been at Lane since fall 1998. Two courses: Introduction to Women's Studies and Women's Bodies, Women's Selves, taught by social science instructor Patsy Raney were catalysts for Cross' coming to terms with her difficult past.
"I always thought I was stupid, all my life," she says. Raised in Reno, Nevada by a bartender father and mother who dealt cards, Cross ran away from home at age 13 following her parents' divorce, and subsequently spent 18 months in a state-sponsored girls' school. From age 16 to 18 she lived in a foster home, and helped care for her dozen foster-siblings.
Cross married at age 20, and pushed forward despite severe test anxiety to earn her GED at age 33, while raising her three children. Two years later she entered a Kansas City trade school that trained her to design printed circuit boards. She worked in the computer field for almost two decades before moving to Eugene to pursue her deepest desire; to return to college and gain a liberal arts education.
"Anita is one determined lady," notes English instructor Ann Marie Prengaman. "She will do anything she sets out to do, so I have no doubt she will go to the university and work very well."
After earning her bachelor's Cross hopes to write books that galvanize people toward informed, active citizenship. "I want to impress on people that their voice really counts," she says. She also plans to design and market a computer learning program for children.
Administrative
specialist Lynne Phillips worked with Cross last summer in the Academic
Learning Skills department, where Cross was employed as a work-study.
Cross helped ALS relocate to its new home on the second floor of the Center
Building, loading software on new computers, setting up printers, and
influencing the design of the computer lab geared toward enhancing student
learning. "She became very well-respected, and appreciated,"
says Phillips. "She took a real personal interest in the project."
Besides studying and working at Lane, Cross has been helping her daughter
Esther raise her 10-year-old granddaughter and seven-year-old grandson,
who is autistic. "She's put a lot of effort into making sure she
gets her degree," says Esther, who is studying nursing at Lane. "I'm
proud of her for going back and doing it. She's socializing, having a
lot of fun, surprising herself at being able to mix with the younger crowd."
Cross radiates a youthful interest in life. "I have lots of dreams, and I've got another 40 years," she says. "I'm not old till I'm 100. Then you can call me old."
To learn more about the associate of arts Oregon transfer degree visit: http://2011sitearchive.lanecc.edu/catalog/
