Simpson Student Earns College Degree After Two Decades
For Immediate Release
01.23.2012
REDDING, Calif. – For Lisa Kassik of Corning, earning her college degree was a lifelong goal two decades in the making.
The 47-year-old mother of three first began college courses nearly 23 years ago, and even though she has gone through difficult times, she holds firm to her motto: everything we go through can better prepare us to help others.
Kassik was among 184 graduates at Simpson’s winter commencement on Saturday, Jan. 21, including nearly 120 from the ASPIRE program.
Kassik always considered herself to be a good student. Studies came easy to her, and friends and family always thought she would go to college. After high school she enlisted in the military until she became pregnant with her son. After the birth of her son she began taking college courses and graduated with her A.A. degree. But years later, Kassik’s life began to spiral out of control due to substance abuse. At her lowest point, she said she was homeless and living under a bridge and her mother took custody of her son.
Her struggle with substance abuse continued for several years until she found help at the House of Mercy, a women’s rehab center in Oroville.
“It was at that time, my life started over,” she said. “I was transformed and have never looked back. My life has been moving forward in the right direction ever since.”
After she worked as a waitress and cleaned hotels, Kassik’s husband, Lee, encouraged her to apply for a job at Sierra Pacific, where he had been working. She was offered a full-time position in the window division of the company.
With her life back on track and her three kids out of high school, Kassik knew that it was the right time to finish her degree. But just before enrolling in college, Kassik’s dad lost a long battle with cancer.
“The goal of finishing my college education was always in my heart,” she said. “My dad accepted the Lord before he passed away, and he had always pushed me to go back to school. I’m doing this not only for myself, but as a way to honor my dad.”
Kassik enrolled in Simpson’s ASPIRE program in fall 2010. After looking at other universities, she found Simpson’s program to be the best fit for her to earn her B.A. in psychology.
“When I dropped out of school, I was a good student,” Kassik said. “For me, coming to Simpson University was a way for me to prove to myself that I could still do it. I needed to come full circle.”
Kassik, whose three kids are attending college, said she hopes she inspired them to earn their degree. “Hopefully they think, ‘If mom can do it – so can I.’”
After graduating, Kassik will continue working at Sierra Pacific, where she has been for 13 years, and continue volunteering at PATH, the Tehama County homeless shelter. She plans to look into becoming a social worker or community advocate.
“Completing my education was very dear to my heart,” she said. “The Lord has had His hand on this journey, and I want to do what He has planned for me. I believe everything I’ve gone through was so I could better serve others.”
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Simpson University is a Christian university offering undergraduate, graduate and teaching credential programs. Simpson's academic programs include ASPIRE, a degree-completion program geared toward working adults in the north state. Simpson's recent curriculum expansion includes degrees in biology, nursing, outdoor leadership, and a master's degree in counseling psychology. For more information about the university, or to arrange a personalized visit, call 1-888-9-SIMPSON or visit simpsonu.edu.
Contact: SU Public Relations
mediarelations@simpsonu.edu
(530) 226-4737
