“UoPeople Allows Me to Move Forward on My Own Terms,”: LaDonna W., Health Science Student

LaDonna W. is a mother of three and a truck driver whose life is largely spent on the road. While balancing work, family responsibilities, and long hours behind the wheel, she is also pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Health Science at University of the People, intending to build a meaningful future in healthcare.

LaDonna’s journey has been shaped by hard times, resilience, and responsibility.

“My life has been built through real experiences,” she says. “Working, surviving, learning things the hard way, and still choosing to keep going.”

Before becoming a truck driver, LaDonna worked in a children’s clinic and in a laboratory setting, where she performed hands-on medical tasks such as drawing blood. Those experiences helped her realize that she was capable of working in the healthcare field not only technically, but emotionally as well.

“I have seen people at their most vulnerable,” she explains. “I know how to stay calm, focused, and present.”

One of the most difficult experiences in LaDonna’s life was losing her daughter, a loss that profoundly changed her perspective while strengthening her determination to continue moving forward for her family.

“There is no way to make that sound easier than it was,” she shares. “I had to learn how to keep living and how to keep being Mommy to my other children while carrying something that never leaves.”

At the same time, LaDonna’s responsibilities within her family continued to grow. She is now helping care for her mother as she adjusts to life on dialysis, an experience that has deepened her understanding of the emotional and physical realities of changing health conditions.

“Watching someone who once cared for you now depend on you differently is humbling,” she says. “It has taught me patience, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of what people go through when their health changes.”

Today, LaDonna continues to work as a truck driver, a profession that demands discipline, independence, and long hours on the road. Yet it also gives her time to reflect on her future and the life she wants to build.

“I do not want to stay in survival mode forever,” she says.

Returning to school was a deliberate and meaningful decision. Before enrolling at UoPeople, LaDonna had already completed courses in biology, anatomy and physiology, history, and art, proving to herself that she was capable of succeeding academically despite the challenges in her life. She transferred all those credits to her program at UoPeople, which has given her a great headstart.

Balancing education with work, motherhood, and caregiving responsibilities is not easy, but LaDonna remains committed to continuing her studies.

“The challenge is balancing school with life on the road, being present for my children, and supporting my mother,” she says. “But I am doing it anyway.”

For LaDonna, UoPeople represents an opportunity to move forward on her own terms. As someone who spends much of her time traveling for work, the university’s flexible online model allows her to continue her education regardless of where she is.

“The way UoPeople is set up allows me to move forward without being limited by what I can afford upfront,” she explains.

She says the university’s accessibility and self-paced learning environment made pursuing a degree possible at a time when traditional higher education would have been difficult to fit into her life. Whether she is on the road, caring for her family, or managing other responsibilities, UoPeople gives her the flexibility to keep progressing toward her goals.

Before enrolling, LaDonna also spent time reading student stories and learning about the experiences of other UoPeople students.

“I wanted to see what people were saying about UoPeople,” she says. “And when I learned more, I wanted to be a part of this.”

Looking ahead, LaDonna hopes to build a stable and meaningful career in healthcare while making a positive impact in her community. She believes her Health Science degree will help her not only professionally, but personally as well.

“There are a few things I want to do, and a background in Health Science will help push me forward,” she says. “I want to help my community and teach my children about living a healthy lifestyle.”

LaDonna believes her experiences have given her a unique perspective and strength that she brings into every part of her life.

“I am not the typical student, and I am not trying to be,” she says. “I bring life experience, resilience, and a different level of focus.”

Today, LaDonna’s story reflects determination, perseverance, and the belief that it is never too late to pursue a new path forward.

We are thrilled by the positive way LaDonna continues to face life’s challenges and wish her all the best for her future.