Marine, Mom and College Graduate Heather Austin Demonstrates Persistence and a Lifelong Passion for Learning

Heather Austin, Kalamazoo Valley's student speaker for its 87th Commencement Ceremony on Dec. 18, is no stranger to hard work. Austin is one of the 278 students who plan to participate in the ceremony at Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium.

In addition to graduating from Valley, Austin is about to celebrate 20 years as a U.S. Marine and graduated from Advance Career Course on December 17. The single parent has juggled full-time work as an operations manager for FedEx while completing her associate degree in business administration and caring for her five children who range in age from 10 to 16.

The Clare, Michigan native graduated from high school in 2003 and immediately joined the Marine Corps. "I joined because I wanted to belong to something bigger. It doesn't matter where you go, there's always a Marine." She loves the camaraderie so much that she recently re-enlisted.

She first enrolled in classes at Kalamazoo Valley in 2005 and had planned to take a semester off when she became pregnant. She remembers telling English instructor Michael Keller about her pregnancy and being touched that he was genuinely happy for her. "He's responsible for me continuing my education," Austin said. "His kindness brought me back after 17 years."

Other Kalamazoo Valley employees have also made an impact on her. Business instructor Steve Walman has encouraged her with his calm and steady demeanor and Public Safety Director Don Benthin "unlocked my car at least 87 times," she said. Being on active duty in the Marines from 2017 to 2019 made her realize the importance of continuing her education.

"I thought I wanted to be a nurse," said Austin. She is trained as a medical assistant and has worked as a dialysis technician. "I figured out that that's not what I really want to do," she said. The leadership and management skills she gained in the military made her realize that business administration is a better fit.

Challenges to completing her degree have included trying to take tests while in the field with fellow Marines and having her laptop screen crack due to extreme cold temperatures. In her commencement speech, Austin's main points are "believe in yourself" and "never stop learning." She said she has learned to be comfortable with being misunderstood. "The only voice that matters is yours," she said. "Make sure your voice is on your side."

Austin is going to continue with her studies by completing a bachelor's degree through the University Center at Kalamazoo Valley. "I want to learn everything I can to help my daughter with the small business she wants to start. Long-term, I would love to continue on to get my master's degree." Austin's 16-year-old daughter MacKenzie has two horses and wants to open a boarding and training facility. "It's my job to make my kids successful," she said. That means helping them to explore and develop their talents and passions.

Austin believes that there is no "magic timeline" for college completion. "It doesn't matter when you go to college," she said. Although her children are ready for her to be done taking classes, Austin knows they're proud of her and she's happy to be demonstrating the importance of persistence. "Never say never" is her motto. "I didn't think in 2005 that college was for me, but here I am," she said.