Ambitious, motivated, self-sufficient and community-focused, 19-year-old Lucy Bosn, a Cleary Early College graduate and recipient of the Michigan Impact Scholarship, is shooting for the stars … and her dream is coming true!
Born and raised in Livingston County, Lucy is the oldest in a family of five, mindful for as long as she can remember that making a college education financially manageable for her family was a priority.
“My goal always has been to graduate early and with minimal debt,” she says with confidence.
Lucy started earning money toward that plan even before she reached high school age. Babysitting, dog sitting and house sitting were her first paid jobs. At 16, she started working at Brighton Bar and Grill as a hostess, then food runner, and now, three years later, as a server.
While adding money to her college savings, Lucy was subtracting years toward completing her degree, thanks to her mother, she asserts.
“My mom joined many Facebook groups dedicated to finding ways to make college affordable. She heard about the Early Middle College program at Cleary and through the Livingston Educational Services Agency (LESA). I knew it was attainable for me.”
Lucy grew up learning how to make the most of her time, balancing school, work, family and friends. “You just gotta get off your phone and focus,” is advice that has worked for her.
And when her mother also told Lucy about the Michigan Impact Scholarship offered through the Lake Trust Credit Union Foundation, Lucy didn’t hesitate. She quickly submitted her application.
The Michigan Impact Scholarship, created through a partnership with Cleary University, helps support the educational and career goals of Michigan students. Annually, one Michigan college-bound student is awarded up to four years of tuition to Cleary. The recipient of this scholarship is a student who plans to build a career that contributes to the state’s economy. When applying for the scholarship, Lucy was required to detail her plans on how she will contribute to the economic future of her community.
It was an easy answer. “My passion is business law; I want to help Michigan small business owners succeed. If they face any legal challenges or issues, my plan is to help them navigate and overcome those obstacles.”
Lucy had known for many years that law was the direction she planned to go for her career, but when she took a business law class at Cleary, “I knew this was where I belonged.”
Lucy completed her associate’s degree in business management from Cleary in the spring, and now she is working toward her bachelor’s degree in business communications at Cleary. She expects to earn this degree in two years and complete her master’s degree in leadership in one year through Cleary’s Plus One program – and debt-free, she anticipates. Thanks to the Michigan Impact Scholarship, all of her tuition is covered at Cleary.
“I’m glad I chose Cleary,” she reflects. “I like the small class sizes. I don’t feel scared raising my hand and asking a question or voicing my opinion; everyone is so receptive. That wouldn’t happen in a big school. When I visit friends at big colleges, I don’t feel seen. At Cleary, everyone greets you or I already know them. The professors see you, they talk to you, they want to know about your goals. I love these connections. I like the vibe of the Cleary community.
“I think there is a misconception about ‘going away to college’,” Lucy points out. “Many high schoolers think they have to move away from home to have the full college experience. I live at home and am enjoying the full college experience at Cleary. I am getting a great education, I have made many friends, I work part-time, and I get to spend time with my family. To me, that is the perfect balance. I have gained so many valuable experiences right here in my hometown.”
