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College didn’t start quite the way Tay Kramer had hoped, but when she graduates from ��ɫtv next week with a degree in social work, she will put the finishing touches on an experience that changed her life for the best.

Kramer came to ��ɫtv Mansfield in the fall of 2022, just two weeks after starting at another college that was not for her. In tears and unsure of what to do, she called her father to come and get her.

“He picked me up and walked me into the doors of ��ɫtv” she said. “I was greeted with open arms, something I’ve never experienced in my life. The admissions staff sat me down, talked me through the process and got me enrolled in literally an hour.”

Charting a path

Although she was interested in criminal justice, Kramer decided to enroll in social work, a field that gave her broad exposure to social issues, and one of 12 degrees students can complete at ��ɫtv Mansfield.

But her challenges were not over. She started with a low GPA, low enough that she faced being dismissed if her grades didn’t improve. And then in 2023, her house burned down, destroying nearly everything, including her laptop and school supplies.

Fortunately, no one was hurt, and thanks to the Student Emergency Fund at campus, she was able to buy the essential items she needed for class.

“It was finals week and I had no computer, no laptop, no nothing and they gave me $800 for a laptop, a book bag, pens and so forth,” she said.

With all the support she received at Mansfield, Kramer quickly improved her classroom performance and today she has a perfect 4.0 GPA.

At the spring 2025 student awards ceremony, she received the Social Work Book Award. Thanks to all her hard work, she also was accepted into the Accelerated Master’s program and will begin her master’s in social work in 2026.

Kramer credits the staff and faculty at ��ɫtv for helping her get her foot in the door.

“��ɫtv Mansfield changed my entire life,” she said. “If they wouldn’t have taken me in like they did three years ago, I don’t know where I would be.”

Determination

One of the people she worked with most closely was academic advisor Jessica Luttrell. According to Luttrell, Kramer brought “remarkable dedication” to her academic and professional pursuits.

“Tay consistently demonstrates focus, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Luttrell. “In my time working with her, I’ve seen her tackle challenges with maturity, ask thoughtful questions, and seek out opportunities to grow—qualities that set her apart as a truly exceptional student.”

Kramer completed an internship with the Richland County Juvenile Court and is currently interviewing for full-time employment in her field.

If she had college do over, there is one thing she would have done differently. She would have started at ��ɫtv Mansfield.

“I recommend Mansfield to all of my friends and my little sister and her friends,” said Kramer. “I am a first-generation college student, and thanks to this campus, I found where I was meant to be.”