Community College Experience Inspires Big Change of Plans for Student

NEW HAVEN, CT - When Paula Calisme started college at a four-year university in 2021, she was unsure of what she wanted to study and felt uninspired beginning during the COVID-19 pandemic. She left after her first year.

"I felt lost," she said.

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Paula decided to work with children, eventually landing her current position at Blossoming Minds Early Childhood Learning Center in Southbury, where she has been employed in childcare for more than two years. Working with children since she was 18, Paula knew that this career path matched her interests.

"Kids are so optimistic, so full of light," she said, adding that caring for children ages four and under filled her with hope for the future and she decided to return to college to advance her career in early childhood education.

She decided to abandon the idea of a four-year university and instead opted to take a new approach this time: earn an associate degree at Connecticut State Community College. With the opportunity to attend any of the 12 campuses throughout the state, Paula felt the options for creating a schedule around work seemed more manageable. She chose Housatonic in Bridgeport as her home campus and attends classes in Norwalk and at the Gateway campus in New Haven as well.

"I've done more in-person here," Paula said recently while visiting Gateway. "I get to go to different campuses. Each campus is inviting and welcoming. It feels like home no matter what campus you're at," Paula said.

Enrolling in classes in the health sciences, Paula felt pulled in a new direction when she realized that she had a passion for serving children, but in a healthcare setting. She will be applying to nursing schools soon, with a long-term goal of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.

This summer, she took on a grueling schedule to fast-track her plans. She enrolled in four evening summer classes in Norwalk, continued working three full days at work in Southbury, and added Certified Nurse Aide training at the Gateway campus to a packed week. She found an advocate in C.N.A. Instructor Catherine DeLandra, herself a Gateway nursing graduate, who cheered her on.

"She was so encouraging and supportive," Paula said.

The program's direct learning provided insights into real life situations. During the clinical week, students spent two days shadowing in small groups, and they moved into working with patients' care plans mid-week. Classmates encouraged each other and bonded, she said. They celebrated together with the residents on the last day of the clinical week.

DeLandra noted that Paula was focused and determined in the classroom, which made for a smooth transition to clinical work at Whitney Center in Hamden.

"During the clinical experience, she shined; she truly provided person-centered care with patience and compassion," DeLandra said.

Paula will begin a working full-time at Mozaic Senior Life in September. Since her mother works as a C.N.A., she already admired those in the profession. It's a great environment for someone who values caretaking and has a big heart, Paula said. During her clinical experience, Paula could see why her mother has made this her career.

"All the residents were so nice," she said.

Paula's parents both attended Norwalk and Housatonic before they were merged into Connecticut State Community College and they were huge advocates. Both saw immense value in education – her father even founded an elementary school in Haiti - but could not complete college due to family obligations, she said. When she steps on stage to collect her diploma next year, Paula will be the first in her family to graduate college.