Diana O'Shields now helps students find their way, something she can relate too. Shields works as the Coordinator for Off-campus Admissions at Mayland Community College, and helps high school students and parents learn about Dual Enrollment and Huskins Bill classes offered at the college.

O'Shields is a Mayland Alumna. She worked up the courage to come back to school to better her life and the life of her family.

"I kept hearing why don't you go back to school, and finally worked up the courage to visit Mayland and see what they had to offer," said O'Shields. "From the moment I walked through the doors at Mayland I felt like, yes, I can do this."

O'Shields was a single mother when she began at Mayland, and said it took a lot of courage for her being an older student to go back to college. O'Shields began taking classes at the college, and with every assignment and every test she proved to herself that she could be successful in college.

"For the first time I really believed that I was doing something that I could be proud of," said O'Shields.

O'Shields said it was hard to leave Mayland after graduation. She began working part time with the Student Development department and was able to share her story with other potential students. She has now been at Mayland for 19 years.

"Mayland became who I was, something that I was proud of, and became like family to me," said O'Shields. "Mayland has helped so many better their lives through education. It has been here a long time helping our communities."

O'Shields now works with high school students who are interested in earning college credit for free while they are enrolled in high school through the Dual Enrollment and Huskins Bill classes.

"So many high school students have not seen their full potential and when they begin taking college courses whether it be for college transfer or a welding class, they begin to find something they love to do and some even find a career path," said O'Shields. "These opportunities help keep them in school, and I see it open up different avenues for the students all the time."

O'Shields said the success of the high school students and even current students at Mayland often extends out to their families. Her own is a good example. All of her children took classes at Mayland, and her grandchildren have been part of the Dual Enrollment Program.

O'Shields granddaughter Cortney Allen is taking classes preparing to go into Mayland's nursing program when she finishes high school.

"The instructors at Mayland helped me understand that I really wanted to be a nurse," said Allen. "The college courses I have been taking have been challenging, and I feel like I am getting a really good education at Mayland."

O'Shields says if she could describe Mayland in one word it would be accessible.

"The college has been a stepping stone for many in our communities, and has encouraged us to be better than we thought we could be," said O'Shields.