Veronica Veaux

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Veronica always wanted to go to college to be a veterinarian among other things.  She participated in TRiO Upward Bound in Bemidji and went to Bemidji State University (BSU).  Along the way, Veronica had children, and wasn't able to keep up with school.  She found herself on academic probation and her financial aid was cut off.  Her dream was derailed.

 

A young mother, Veronica worked and struggled to support her family.  She had the desire to go back to college, but didn't know how she could pay for it without financial aid.  She took some classes at Leech Lake Tribal College and got a 4.0. She wanted to return to BSU and needed help.  Her teacher, Valerie Wallingford, also the TRiO Student Support Services project director at Bemidji State University, stepped in and offered her help.  Valerie wrote letters, advocated for Veronica and got her readmitted to BSU.

 

Veronica says that TRiO gave her the life skills, the support and the safe haven she needed.  "The TRiO Student Support Services program means the world to me."  The help with setting priorities, how to study, and the career planning all helped Veronica to cope and to grow and to succeed. Veronica was an honor student who was active on the BSU Council of Indian Students. 

 

Today, Veronica and her husband are raising three children ages 11, 9, and 7.  They are living in the Bemidji area and are buying their first home.  Veronica graduated from BSU in May 2008 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, with emphasis in Management and Small Business Management/Entrepreneurship.  She is employed at Leech Lake Tribal College since September 2008 as Registrar. 

 

But her story doesn't stop there.  In June 2009, Veronica started attending Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA.  She is pursuing her Masters Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in American Indian Entrepreneurship.  Veronica anticipates graduation in May 2011.  Veronica was honored as a Minnesota TRiO Achiever at the awards ceremony at the Minnesota TRiO Association conference in Aprl 2009.