![\"Tiara](\"http:\/\/dunwoody.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/IMG_1407.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Tiara Hill Tiara Hill has never let fear stand in her way. In fact, the Minneapolis native was terrified of the sparks when she first experienced the Welding & Metal Fabrication program at Dunwoody College of Technology as a Youth Career Awareness Program student. So when it came time to choose which degree program she would enroll in, the answer was obvious \u2013 welding.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew that I wanted to work with my hands, but I had no idea it would be welding,\u201d Hill said, adding that she really enjoys the artistic side of welding.<\/p>\n Two years later, Hill has not only conquered her fear \u2013 she\u2019s also excelled as a student. Hill was selected this year as both the Academic Excellence Award recipient for the Robotics & Manufacturing program area and the Student Leadership Award recipient for the Alumni Board of Managers.<\/p>\n A graduate of Park Center Senior High School, Hill wasn\u2019t sure if she would be able to attend college. She had applied for a number of scholarships, but none of them had worked out. So when a case manager at a local non-profit suggested Hill apply for the YCAP scholarship at Dunwoody, she was skeptical.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore Dunwoody, college was nothing but a dream for me,\u201d Hill said. \u201cI really think this was the best decision I ever made.\u201d<\/p>\n Now about to graduate with her Associate in Applied Science degree, Hill is already planning to continue her education and has enrolled in the Bachelor completion program for Industrial Engineering at Dunwoody.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat drives me to keep going is my past and knowing that there is another part of life out there that I want a chance to see and experience,\u201d Hill said.<\/p>\n Hill is motivated to succeed by the people in her life. Her mother has been an inspiration at home, always encouraging her to keep going and never give up. At school, Hill said her instructors, such as Denise Bailey, have served as an amazing support system.<\/p>\n One day, Hill hopes to inspire and motivate others. She already has plans to start her own business, taking on smaller welding jobs, and she hopes to encourage other youth \u2013 especially women \u2013 to take an interest in technical careers.<\/p>\n For now, Hill is excited about her future and all of the new opportunities awaiting her.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Tiara Hill Welding & Metal Fabrication \u201917 Minneapolis, MN Tiara Hill has never let fear stand in her way. In fact, the Minneapolis native was terrified of the sparks when she first experienced the Welding & Metal Fabrication program at Dunwoody College of Technology as a Youth Career Awareness Program student. So when it came […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[359,178],"tags":[361,80],"class_list":["post-2877","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commencement","category-student-news","tag-academic-excellence-award","tag-welding"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/strong>Welding & Metal Fabrication \u201917<\/em>
\nMinneapolis, MN<\/p>\n