While explaining her future career plans, Audra Jeffers’ voice bubbles with excitement.
“I plan to start at West Chester University in the fall to get my bachelor’s in nursing and eventually get my master’s, although I am not sure where I want to go to get my graduate degree,” she says.
The 37-year-old mother of three is eager to realize her goals.
Jeffers, a graduating nursing major at the Community College of Philadelphia, won two scholarships funded by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. As a New Century Silver Scholar, Jeffers will receive a $2,000 stipend. She will also receive a $1,250 stipend in August for being named part of the Coca-Cola All-State Academic Team program.
Not bad for a woman who flirted with academic failure but eventually regained her footing, school officials say. In fact, Jeffers is the exception. According to data collected by the U.S. Department of Education, only 31 percent of public community college students go on to complete either an associate or bachelor’s degree in six years.
