Pa Ousman
“My dreams and aspirations for a more just and inclusive world were reinforced through the multiple roles, events, and activities I got involved in and people I engaged with [at Highline].”
About Pa Ousman
- Highline GPA: 3.8 GPA
- Transferred to: Seattle University
- Major: Finance and Business Economics
- Graduation from HC: Spring 2016
- Scholarships Earned: Messina Scholarship ($16,000) and Alfie Scholarship ($10,000)
- Of Note: Honors Scholar and student body president
Pa Ousman on the Honors Program
After having to jump multiple hurdles at an early stage in life, I was hit with another, even bigger hurdle of getting a higher education degree. Inadequate finances and guidance sent me into a state of complete hopelessness. My quest to get away from that state of emotional and mental dilemma sent me searching for knowledge—Higher education to be precise. That search brought me to Highline College. While at Highline, I was welcomed into a community of scholars and visionaries. People who believed in diversity of thought and experience. My dreams and aspirations for a more just and inclusive world were reinforced through the multiple roles, events, and activities I got involved in and people I engaged with.
Nonetheless, I was determined to find a community of scholars that would engage in issues beyond the confines of our class curriculum but relevant to issues that we felt personally called to. The honors program provided that platform to refine and pursue those aspirations. I was fortunate to engage with fellow students on national and global issues, build friendships, and get academic assistance. The honors program also strengthened my programming, communication and leadership skills through serving as co-president of the honors leadership team. I also got the opportunity to navigate career paths and scholarship opportunities through various portfolio review days and honors classes.
Through the honors program, my confidence to apply to colleges was reinforced. I applied and was accepted to the University of Washington Foster School of Business, University of Washington Milgard School of Business, Pacific Lutheran University and Seattle University. I graduated in spring of 2016 with a 3.82 GPA and transferred to Seattle University to pursue a degree in Business Administration with majors in Finance and Business Economics and minors in International Economic development and International Business. As a transfer student, I was awarded a Messina scholarship of $16,000 and an Alfie Scholarship of $10,000.