Dellamae Meadows

DELLAMAE MEADOWS
Student, New River Community College

“Middle College is my second family,” says Dellamae Meadows. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. They believed in me when no one else did and gave me the resources to succeed.”

Meadows grew up faster than most. She had to. Abandoned by her parents, she began raising her brothers when she was in the ninth grade. The challenge of it all caused her to miss school and eventually drop out.

She tried returning to earn her GED, but transportation challenges and the necessity to work forced her to drop out once again.

A dangerous, failed relationship, a pregnancy and miscarriage, and ovarian cancer added to Meadows’ challenges. However, a New River Community College newspaper ad proved to be a turning point.

Though reluctant at first, Meadows enrolled in Middle College at NRCC. “The instructors were understanding,” she says. “They worked with my schedule, and when I had to have surgery, I was able to do the work at home.”

Meadows ultimately lost her home, but not the support she was getting from her Middle College instructors. “They would bring in food for me and helped me find a job until I could begin classes and get a work study position.”

“I’m now in college. I am working for the Middle College. I have a home and food on my plate.” Though life is still a struggle, Meadows says things are finally looking up.

"Middle College is my second family."

Dellamae Meadows, Student,
New River
Community College