Meet Laura Hathorn, a SCC alum and current second-year student at SCC Colville. After completing her degree in Library Sciences at SCC in 2004, Laura decided to return to school in the Spring of 2024 with hopes of building a future in her community for her and her two daughters. Laura is a dual major in business and accounting and has managed a full course load every quarter since Spring 2024 – with her anticipated graduation approaching this coming Summer.
 
We had the chance to sit down with Laura this fall after she was awarded a scholarship from the Foundation to see how she was doing and what she is hoping and planning for after graduation.
 
“I love learning. I love using my brain as a sponge,” Laura shared when asked how her studies are going. “I love developing a deeper understanding and knowledge of the systems and processes that dictate our lives.” As a single mom of a 13-year-old and a 6-year-old, Laura finds that her life experience has helped her in her business and accounting classes. “I never thought I would be good at this stuff, but it just feels so natural. Business math? That’s just mom math,” she joked.
 
Laura was initially drawn to a business major due to its utility in the workforce, particularly how it will allow her to be involved in her community. “My main focus is just communities and community growth and helping people.” When Laura was drawing near to the end of her business major, she wanted to stay in school and realized she liked working with numbers, so she decided to dual major in accounting. With her business and accounting degrees, Laura would love to help small businesses in the Colville area – particularly as a mobile notary and mobile tax service. “That’s something I would love to be able to do for people. To be able to go to small farms and sit at their table with them and file their taxes with them. I think that’s a really necessary and needed service out here,” Laura shared.
As a scholarship recipient, Laura has received support from the Foundation to allow her to focus on her studies while also caring for her family and her community. To Laura, the scholarship was more than just the monetary help. “It means finally being seen. It’s being believed in that I am capable of amazing things.”
 
Laura, we know you will accomplish amazing things. We look forward to following your journey to graduation this summer!