Leading by example is a top priority for Raven Baker. Not only is Baker a recent IU Northwest graduate, she’s also the mother of two young boys and a project specialist at a local childcare learning center. With so much on her plate, it’s hard to imagine when she had time to earn her degree.

Baker’s educational journey has been packed with twists, turns, and setbacks. But from a young age, she knew the importance of knowledge.

After all, education practically runs in her family—her great-grandfather, mother, and aunt all worked as educators. And fun fact, her mother and two of her aunts are IU Northwest-educated.

Baker recognizes her mother as her personal hero, and wanting to follow in her footsteps, IU Northwest was the obvious choice to help her finish her education. While she earned her associate degree in early childhood education in 2002, funding held her back from obtaining a four-year degree.

“I ran out of financial aid,” she said. “However, because of the guidance I received from the IU Northwest Office of Financial Aid, I was able to overcome that hurdle.” Gina Pirtle, director of the Office of Financial Aid, had reached out to Baker when tuition assistance had been made available to her.

Baker was delighted to oblige. Last December, she finished her degree in general studies, along with two minors in communication and African American and African diaspora studies. “I wanted to take several classes and experience unlimited growth,” she said.

And grow she did. Baker began her post-high school years knowing very little about finances and how to use them wisely, but today she’s an inspiration to traditional and nontraditional students alike. She uses her talents to work in a childcare center’s human resources department, and someday, she plans to open her own center to help teenagers and young adults with autism.

As she sets out to achieve her goals, she knows her IU Northwest education is there to back her up. “IU Northwest gave me a chance to not only complete my degree, but gave me the power to know I can complete anything God allows me to and that I put my mind to,” Baker said.

Since graduating high school in 1997, Baker has certainly had her share of ups and downs, and she’s come to realize the importance of making the most of your time.

“Don’t waste your time, energy, or money,” she said. “Nothing lasts forever, and you want to look back and have something to be proud of.” With a drive to help children, teenagers, and young adults, Baker’s time is definitely not going to waste.

Although her graduation may have come a little later than planned, Baker remains an amazing example of what can happen when you get serious about your goals and take advantage of educational opportunities.

“Time will always move forward,” she affirms. “What you do with it is up to you.”