Kate Regis has a love for the written word—and wants to share that with the next generation. As a winner of our #MyCollegeDream challenge, the senior at Eastern Kentucky University is using her funding to pay for expensive grad school testing. She then hopes to earn her accreditation from the American Library Association and to pursue a career as a librarian. Kate proves that personal challenges– plus changing her major–are no obstacle for reaching dreams.

What is your professional dream?

Once I earn ALA accreditation, my career plans are to seek employment as a Kentucky Public Youth Services or University Librarian.  Once I complete my portfolio, I will also be able to seek employment as a public school librarian.

How will you use the 1,000 Dreams Fund grant?

I will use the $150 grant to cover a portion of the fee to take the GRE for graduate school.

How is this helping you get closer to your dream?

1,000 Dreams Fund has helped to relieve the financial pressure of taking the GRE, so that I can concentrate more on diligently studying for the exam.

What advice do you have for other young women looking to go for their dreams?

Whenever you get the chance, reach out to the women who have the career that you want.  I quite literally went knocking on doors to get my questions answered and those women set me on the right degree path from the beginning of my higher education.  And, always remember to send them a thank you note later! Nothing is more memorable than a name attached to a thank you.

Any setbacks? How did you get around them?

My father had five surgeries for Stage 3 Colon Cancer during my senior year.  Since I was over 2 hours away, I set up a GoFundMe to help him from a distance.  Also, since I changed my major freshman year and chose to complete my year-long Honors Scholar thesis, it added a ninth semester without state scholarships.  So, I have diligently applied for private scholarships and worked part-time jobs to cover the gap after student loans max for my final semester.

What’s next for you? What is your next goal?

After I pass the GRE, I will enroll in 2018 for graduate school at the University of Kentucky in Lexington KY to begin my master’s portfolio.  I plan to enroll in two of Master’s of Science in Library Science (M.S.L.S.) programs:  American Library Association (ALA) School Librarian Program and the School Media Librarian P-12 Certification Program.