Seeing others embrace possibility gives us the confidence to choose it for ourselves.
Jzhani Ezell always knew college would be part of her story. After high school, she began studying criminal justice at Grand Rapids Community College. But when a family member died, she needed a break and left school.
She spent the next years working and doing her favorite things: traveling, attending concerts, dancing, and spending time with loved ones. “I was always thinking about going back to school,” Jzhani, now 22, says. “I just never knew the correct steps to do that.”
When Jzhani’s sister completed her associate’s degree and started pursuing a bachelor’s, it motivated Jzhani to invest in her future. Her mother pointed her to Step Year — WMCAT’s college-and-career exploration program — and Jzhani enrolled, unsure what to expect.
She was nervous but quickly found community. With her Step Year cohort, Jzhani explored educational pathways, visited employers, and learned more about herself. “Seeing different things I could potentially do . . . opened up the doors and made me feel more comfortable.”
Step Year friends enjoy the end-of-cohort
trip to Toronto.
“I’m more confident now. I actually have a plan…it’s what I want to do. It’s my path.”
Criminal justice remained an option, but she was also interested in social work. A conversation with Step Year facilitator Rosie Runals — who earned a bachelor’s in social work while working at WMCAT — helped Jzhani see how the aspects of criminal justice that attracted her could be more fully realized in the social work field. It clicked.
“Seeing how much simply listening, encouraging, and helping someone feel understood could make a difference showed me how important that work is,” Jzhani says.
Inspired by her sister, mom, Step Year cohort, and Rosie, Jzhani will return to GRCC this fall to complete her associate’s degree before transferring to Grand Valley State University to earn her bachelor’s degree. She plans to pursue youth and family social work, with the goal of supporting children and teens through difficult times.