Dr. Lisa Hale was born and raised by loving parents who worked hard with decent jobs. Although her parents didn't talk to her much about college due to lack of personal experience, her teachers did. Still, she didn't think it would be a possibility. Her family was very proud when she became the first of them to earn a diploma from Central High School.

“Years after moving my golden tassel across a black mortarboard, I could still hear echoes of the inspirational words my teachers shared with me about college,” said Dr. Hale. She was married and earning a decent wage, so she decided to try one college class. It was then she fell in love with learning, and she enrolled full-time. After three and a half years of studies, and welcoming a baby boy along the way, she earned her bachelor's degree.

Dr. Hale didn't stop then! She earned a master's degree, an administrative license, and recently completed hear PhD. “I'm forever grateful for the gift of my teachers' care and concern for me,” said Dr. Hale. “Education is a life-changer.”

She says her teachers instilled in a her a message that, to this day, she shares with her students – who will also be teachers someday. “Believe in your students; never give up on them. Share encouraging words with them that they may never hear from anyone else.” Dr. Hale is proud to be a first-generation college graduate, and she is “forever indebted” to her teachers who helped make it happen.