Yvette Vega, from Portage, graduates this May with bachelor's degrees in accounting/finance and business administration.

Raised in Northwest Indiana, Vega chose Indiana University Northwest because she was aware of the school’s reputation for a quality education close to home. “I decided to pursue a double major in accounting/finance and business administration with a minor in marketing, because I like numbers,” she said. “In business, you are presented with a problem and must find a solution. The process is like a puzzle that I get to solve using numbers as the pieces.”

Many students overcome obstacles on their way to a college degree, but for Vega, conquering challenges was almost a full-time job. “I rarely slept between raising my son, work, school and my homework,” she explained.

The 31-year old mother came back to school to earn her degree and start a new career. She worked full-time on the midnight shift at a casino and sacrificed sleep to pursue her dreams. “To get my homework done, I had to squeeze it in before and after I slept and during the breaks between classes,” she said, “and I took my book bag to work so I could do homework on my breaks. It was definitely a trying time, but I was determined.”

Time management proved a formidable challenge for Vega to overcome, but a personal tragedy nearly broke her: the passing of her mother. “She was my rock, the one who was always there to help with my son while I worked and went to school, the one who encouraged me to always move forward,” she said.

Feeling lost and without motivation, Vega took a year off to try and cope with the loss. “I finally stood up again and knew I needed to complete school, not just for me, but for her too,” Vega explained. “She was so happy for me when I made the Dean’s List and couldn’t wait to watch me walk across that stage. She was my biggest cheerleader and my number one fan.”

Vega appreciated the understanding and compassion of her professors during her time of need. “Some even checked up on me to make sure I was okay and helped me through the process of what I needed to do to succeed in my classes,” she said. “Helen Harmon (director of Student Success and Career Development) especially went out of her way. I am forever grateful to her for her kindness and willingness to always help me.”

With two internships under her belt, Vega is sending resumes to companies with open accounting positions. “I am hoping to land a position with a company I can establish a long-term relationship with, that has opportunities for advancement and growth,” she said. “I am super excited to be starting a whole new career and see how far I can go, eventually up to an executive position!”