NORTH EAST, MD — With an innate curiosity embodied in the words ‘why’ and ‘how,’ Rebecca Huegel’s love for learning and determination to excel began at an early age. This drive led her to seize an exciting opportunity in junior high school – the Early College Academy (ECA) program at Cecil College.
Huegel, an eighth-grade student at the time, heard positive reviews about Cecil College and was intrigued by the ECA program it offered. Her decision to enroll proved to be a wise one. By May 2023, she became a proud graduate of Cecil College with an associate’s degree in general studies. A few weeks later, she walked across the stage of Perryville High School to receive her high school diploma.
The ECA program embraces academically driven students entering ninth grade. Freshmen and sophomores begin by taking introductory-level college classes, taught by Cecil College professors at local high schools, setting them on the path to an associate of arts degree.
With the onset of her junior year at Perryville, Huegel looked forward to attending classes at the Cecil College campus. However, her hearing impairment raised concerns about keeping pace with her classmates and understanding the lectures. Thankfully, her worries were allayed when she met Raegen Iler, Coordinator for Accessibility Services, who introduced her to a wealth of services to support her studies.
Huegel, with cochlear implants to mitigate her hearing loss, expressed gratitude for the preferential seating and peer notetaker’s assistance offered during lectures. The accommodations provided were instrumental in her successful academic journey at Cecil College.
She also found the faculty empathetic, compassionate, and committed to helping her overcome her disability. Psychology Professor Meredith Lutz-Stehl and Business Associate Professor Adele Foltz were more than mere educators; they became mentors, guiding Huegel toward academic success.
Hugel’s admiration for Professor Lutz-Stehl’s teaching style led to a lifelong transformation in her studying and writing habits. Similarly, Professor Foltz’s instruction ignited a passion for accounting, which prompted Huegel to major in it. She continues her academic journey at Goldey-Beacom College, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting and aiming to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a master’s degree.
Beyond academic growth, Cecil College facilitated Huegel’s professional and personal development. The coursework and professors imparted valuable life lessons, enhanced study skills, improved writing abilities, boosted public speaking confidence, and instilled self-assuredness required for interviews. Such growth enabled her to secure an eight-week internship with Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, P.A., an accounting firm in Wilmington, Delaware.
Driven by the mentorship she received from the faculty at Cecil College and Goldey-Beacom College, Huegel aspires to give back by guiding future generations towards realizing their dreams once she establishes herself professionally.
She has invaluable advice for high school juniors and seniors contemplating college – apply to multiple schools, put in your best effort, learn from mistakes, and never hesitate to ask for help. After all, college professors, she says, are eager to see students succeed.
Huegel’s inspiring journey proves that with determination, the right support, and a willingness to learn, any obstacle can be overcome, and dreams can become a reality.
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