student success

Gisela Olalde Granados is Creating the Life She Wants

Wed, May 03, 2023

Gisela Olalde Granados is creating the life she wants, and it starts with a plan.

“Set every morning to make a plan,” she says. “What things you need to do, what things can wait, and what things you don’t have to do.”

Gisela never dreamed she would be a nursing student at Vol State. She grew up in Mexico, earned a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, and had a full-time job working on computers. A career in nursing was not part of her plan, not at the time.

Katlyn Blake is Driven to Succeed

Mon, May 01, 2023

One minute into a conversation with Katlyn Blake and you will learn she has a clear vision of her future, and she is driven to succeed.

Katlyn is a Senior at Middle College High School, attending high school and college classes on the Vol State Gallatin Campus. Katlyn will graduate in May with her Associate of Science degree before she receives her High School Diploma. For Katlyn, Middle College was a no-brainer. “I always tell everyone I think they should do it,” she said. “It helped me grow. I think it prepares you for college.”

Vol State Music Student Sarah Cannon Receives APSU Scholarship

Wed, Apr 05, 2023

Sarah Cannon, mezzo-soprano, will be graduating this year and heading off to continue her studies at Austin Peay State University. She will major in Music Education with a concentration in voice and has received a $21,000 scholarship to APSU.

Ricky Capps' Journey to his Master's Degree

Wed, Oct 05, 2022

Ricky Capps is an adult student with many talents. Not only is he enrolled full-time in the Business Administration program at Vol State, but he is also a personal trainer, a nutritionist, a coach for his son’s little league football team, a Director of Operations at Coca-Cola, and an amateur powerlifter.

Adult Student Anamaria Defied All Expectations

Wed, Jul 06, 2022

Proficient in five languages and a mother of eight, Anamaria Chiscociu is pursuing her dream at Vol State despite her busy life.

“Growing up in Romania, I was very poor. There was not much possibility to chase your dreams,” she said. “When I came here almost eleven years ago to the U.S., I was pregnant with my third kid. Now we have eight children.”