Susan Hurley not only graduated from USF Polytechnic's counselor education program but also established the campus's first counseling center.

After receiving her master's degree she jumped at the opportunity to work as a coordinator for the Division of Education. Looking around, she saw a chance to make a significant contribution.

"I realized as the campus was growing and we were gaining more students that one service that was missing was a student counseling center," she says. "As an adult student with children, I knew how much time and energy it takes to come back to school. I knew I could help our students succeed by providing support through counseling."

As she worked to make her dream a reality, Susan enjoyed the full support of faculty and staff.

"I found an empty office and asked Dr. Alice Murray if I could use it as a counseling office. Dr. Marylou Taylor supported my effort and agreed to allow me to devote 10 hours a week away from the coordinator's position to work in the counseling center."

The counseling center that started in one little office has gone on to make a big difference in students' lives.

"When students come in for counseling feeling overwhelmed and defeated and leave feeling like they can now make it, I know we have made a difference," says Susan. "I have thank you notes and letters from students telling me that they don't think they would have met their goal to graduate without the support we offer in the counseling center."

"I very much want to see public higher educational opportunities closer to home, and I am proud to be a part of what this campus is becoming."