Zachary Willis: Faith, Work, Service
Zachary Willis, better known by his friends at Alice Lloyd College as Willy, is a first-generation college student from Owsley County, Kentucky. Willy thought college was out of the picture because he comes from one of the state’s poorest areas and knew he couldn’t afford to further his education. Then, a letter from ALC came through the mail, promising a tuition guarantee. All he would have to do for a college education without paying tuition is participate in ALC’s Student Work Program. He signed up and began his walk along purpose road the coming fall.
Willy didn’t yet know what degree to pursue, but he recognized the importance of a college education. He set out on his academic journey. Strong in his faith, Willy trusted God to set him on the right path. During his freshman year, he took a couple of business classes, and, after getting to know the faculty and discovering his love for the field, he embarked on a path towards a degree in Accounting and Business Management. Willy finished his degree and graduated debt free this spring. Now, he is working at the College as Director of Financial Aid. During his walk along Purpose Road, Willy made the most of his opportunities and grew in his faith, learned the value of hard work, and found his purpose: to lead and serve.
Willy says his faith, “is the foundation of,” who he is as a person. “My faith has guided me and all the choices I make in my life. My faith has always given me direction even in the most difficult periods of my life. Being at a college like ALC where my personal values align with the College’s mission has strengthened my faith and made me a better Christian.”
Willy performed well in the classroom and work study, earning numerous awards such as the Fred J. Becker Award, the Rachel D. Mullinax Award for outstanding senior in accounting, the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, and the Work Colleges Consortium Job Well Done Award. He says ALC’s classes were challenging and brought out the best in him. He felt that they pushed him to become a better student and to keep an open mind and continue to learn after graduation.
While his studies were preparing him for a professional career, his faith was guiding him towards his purpose. Willy says the Student Work Program was an important part of the path towards developing his leadership skills and learning how to serve others. Throughout his four years as a student, Willy filled various student work roles. He began his journey working on the landscaping crew, where he eventually worked his way into the leadership role of a student supervisor. Then, he transitioned to the Office of Financial Aid and served them in the same capacity. Now, he works in the same office as its director and assists students and parents with their financial aid questions and keeping files organized and up to date.
In addition to filling leadership roles within the Student Work Program, Willy took advantage of ALC’s offers for students to apply for additional work hours and for work during breaks. He worked twenty hours weekly and then worked during every school break he could. “Being a twenty-hour worker and work supervisor has allowed me to go to ALC and not have to pay anything. Being a work supervisor also gave me hands on managerial experience. I learned about management in class and then got to actually experience it in my work assignment. Having a stable job over a break with guaranteed hours that I did not have to commute to was great. It allowed me to make money that would help me make it through the semester.”
Willy says he recommends ALC every time he is given the chance. “ALC is an experience that is truly unique. You will not leave Caney Creek the same person you were when you arrived. The opportunity the College provides students with allows them to grow and become their own person that is prepared to think critically in every situation.”
He says that ALC is a place to find your purpose and become a leader. “Whenever I first came here, I had no clue what I wanted to do or where I was going. As I progressed through my time at the College, I started to discover my purpose. ALC showed me that my purpose was to serve others and my Appalachian region, and it showed me that success is not what you can personally accomplish, rather, it is about how you can give back. ALC showed me that purpose is not just a goal you want to accomplish in the future it is what you live out every day. I try to live out every day by working hard, caring deeply, and helping others whenever I get the opportunity.”
“I hope friends of the College know how grateful I am for your generosity. I know that without donors like you, none of the opportunities or things I have accomplished would have been possible. Because of ALC, I have been shaped into the man I am today. Your investment goes far beyond just money. Your investments are shaping futures and inspiring people to uplift a region and to give back.”
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