Rylee Vilhauer, a graduate of Roosevelt High School, planned to major in business with an emphasis in accounting at the University of Northern Colorado. A Bright Futures opportunity changed her path, and she is grateful for that chance.
One of the most valuable parts of the program, Vilhauer said, was meetings with the Bright Futures Scholar Relations Officer, Andy Yost.
“I met with Andy every semester,” she said. “He would check in and make sure I had all the resources I needed. I had my UNC advisor also, but it was so nice to have a second resource through Bright Futures as well.”
During one advising session, Yost connected her with an accounting job shadow and mentorship opportunity. The mentor was also a Roosevelt graduate.
“The mentorship was great,” Vilhauer said. “It definitely showed me that was not the right career path for me.”
After that experience, Vilhauer shifted her focus to management. While in school, she worked at the Disability Resource Center on campus. After graduating she was offered a full-time job as a disability specialist.
Bright Futures requires students to complete 12 hours of volunteer service each year. Vilhauer volunteered at Best Buddies, a place that pairs college students with individuals with intellectual disabilities.
“I loved it so much,” she said. “I stayed with the organization through college and even became the president my senior year. It really was connected to my job.”
Vilhauer said she encourages everyone to apply for Bright Futures tuition assistance.
“One thing I really appreciated was they made it so easy and manageable,” she said. “I am a first-generation college student and Bright Futures was really supportive of my college journey.”