From Uncertain to Unstoppable: Claire’s Journey at ICC
When Claire graduated from high school, college wasn’t part of the plan. The traditional academic path left her feeling unmotivated and disconnected.
“Originally, I was planning on going to barber school or into a union,” she shared. “School just wasn’t really for me.”
With encouragement from her mother, Claire decided to give ICC a try—just for one semester. She didn’t know it then, but that small step would change everything. Her first class was a Monday morning Criminal Justice course with Dr. Anthony White. “He was very stern, and I thought, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to like this,’” Claire admitted. But as the semester went on, his storytelling style—and his genuine support—transformed her experience.
“He wasn’t just reading from a textbook. He shared stories from his time in the field—things I’m never going to forget.”
And that’s when it clicked.
“Coming to ICC helped me realize what I was capable of.”
Claire, ICC Student
She didn’t just succeed—she thrived. Claire was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and found mentors who saw her potential. Her advisor, Doug Huberman, encouraged her to continue her education after ICC. “I told him, ‘I’m done with school.’ He said, ‘Your grades, Claire—you need to keep going.’ By the end of the meeting, he had enrolled me in classes.”
Now a junior at the University of Illinois Springfield, Claire has her sights set on a career in federal investigations – maybe even with the FBI or U.S. Marshals.
The small class sizes at ICC helped Claire manage anxiety and ADHD. “I came from a high school class of 22, so sitting in a lecture hall with 130 people? That wasn’t going to work for me,” she said.
She also found a strong sense of community. “You don’t always get that at bigger schools. Here, I definitely feel lucky.”
And the financial support helped too. “There are so many scholarships. It makes it easier not to stress about the money—you just go to class and do your best.”
To anyone feeling unsure about college, Claire has this advice: “School might not seem like it’s for you, but you’re not going to know until you give it a try. That one step could lead to everything. If you’re anything like me, you’re going to fall in love with it and just keep going.”