Lydia
In 2023, she decided to learn more about Truman, which was just minutes from her home. That decision changed her outlook on education and her life.
Xavier Mason is a dedicated engineering student at Harold Washington College, a work-study student, a student ambassador, and an active member of the military.
Xavier‘s path to Harold Washington wasn’t linear, but his varied experiences have allowed him to excel in all his roles and help make life a little easier for students and veterans at Harold Washington. Xavier attended a four-year university right out of high school before joining the military. Once he decided to return to school, he enrolled in Harold Washington to study electrical engineering.
One vital support service for Xavier was the Veterans Services Center at Harold Washington. Staff walked him through his benefits and prepared him to graduate and transfer to a four-year university. He eventually paid it forward by working as a work-study student at the Veterans Services Center.
“Everyone was so welcoming with me, I wanted to reciprocate that,” Xavier said.
Xavier‘s dedication to his country, his Harold Washington community, and his peers earned him the 2024 Luminary Award.
