Michelle Winn
 Being a single mother of four hasn’t stopped Michele Winn from becoming a mover and shaker on the Nicholls campus. In fact, her life’s challenges have inspired her to work toward positive campus changes and prove that nontraditional students can achieve anything traditional ones can.
Michelle is an active member of more than a dozen campus organizations, including the Nontraditional Students Organization which she is trying to reorganize. For the past five years, she has also been a full-time working mother. It’s a title she relishes. “I thrive on high stress,” Michelle says. “It keeps me moving. It helps me know that I’ve alive. I don’t plan to stay idle for one second.” Michelle pulls a plastic sleeve filled with photos out of her backpack. She shows off her four children and the new addition to her family. During Chi Alpha’s Compassion Week, she “adopted” a young boy from El Salvador. Each month, Michelle donates $32 to help support the child’s educational, financial and spiritual growth and $8 to support HIV/AIDS research. “What I love about the program is that I can send him pictures and letters and even visit him if I save enough money for the trip,” Michelle says, adding that he reminds her of her own son, Mason. |
Working toward: a bachelor’s degree in sociology, an associate degree in criminal justice and a minor in psychology
Expected graduation date: Fall 2008
High school: H.L. Bourgeois High School
Hometown: Houma, La.
Nicholls involvement:
I am the senator-at-large for the Student Government Association and the substance abuse awareness chair for Student Educators and Leaders. I also serve on the multicultural committee for the Student Programming Association. I am a member of the Psychology Club, Emerging Leaders, Phi Eta Sigma, Nicholls Ambassadors and NAACP. You might think it’s kind of funny that I’m in a minority club, but I believe that if you don’t take initiative to get to know people then that is your fault. I’m a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and am involved with Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship. I also serve on the advisory boards for Friends of Ellender Memorial Library and University Health Services/University Counseling Services.
Current employment:
I am the substance abuse leader, educator and role model for Student Educators and Leaders.
I chose to attend Nicholls because …
… it was close enough for me to be home for my children. I was offered a full-paid band scholarship to LSU right out of high school but because I became a mom during my senior year, I had to repeat two classes due to days missed. It was hard because I had been an athlete, but life changes happen and you must go with them. I decided to start my family. I said once my daughter turned five I would go to college, but then I had another child. Now that my children are in school, I can become involved on campus without that interfering with the time I spend with them.
I like the Nicholls community. You can talk to your instructors and get help on an individual basis. I love that we’re a small community that’s striving to be bigger.
After college, I plan to …
… attend graduate school for counseling. I’m a people person. I’m good at talking with people but also really good at listening. I believe my sociology background will really help because when you’re diagnosing someone, you have to delve into their background. You have to consider the life challenges they endured and the group setting they were raised in. Sociology and psychology go hand in hand when trying to figure out a person.
What I will always remember about my Nicholls experience is …
… being honored. It’s great to be remembered by different organizations and people for the things you do; but the biggest thing is realizing that you are making a difference. Last year I was named Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity’s Rose and nominated for Homecoming Court and Ms. Nicholls. I remind you, I’m in my 30s and have four kids. If I can put in the time, other people can put in the time to achieve what they want. I want to show that it doesn’t matter what age you are, whether you are Greek or not, you can still achieve your goals.