By Joy Wick

Kamila Hebbring first became aware of Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) when she started English Language Learning courses about five years ago after moving to Wisconsin from her lifelong home of Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan.  

Now a single mom with two young children, Kamila is one step closer to her dream of becoming a nurse. Thanks to the Doug & Carla Salmon Foundation, Kamila not only has financial resources to help her do it, but also has a network of people to help her navigate this foreign community. 

“I was a stay-at-home mom and just recently was divorced. I was worried about how I was going to pay my tuition. But now I can do it because of (the Salmon Foundation’s) help,” Kamila explains. “They’re changing people’s lives and not just one person — they’re changing families. They’re not just changing my life but my family too.” 

Kara Nowak, a counselor with FVTC Student Services, helps many students whose struggles extend beyond affording college. The cost of childcare and living expenses like rent and food can be significant barriers to pursuing training and education. Add to it the time constraints of being a parent and having full- or part-time jobs, opportunities for growth can be limited. 

“Having this financial and emotional support can alleviate stress and anxiety associated with balancing education costs, making it easier for students to focus on their studies and parenting,” Kara says.   

Kamila is one of 1,417 students who received scholarships from the FVTC Foundation during the 2023-24 academic year. Thanks to generous support from individuals, businesses and organizations like the Salmon Foundation, the FVTC Foundation awarded more than $1 million in scholarships last year. 

The Salmon Foundation has been a valued partner for more than 20 years, providing scholarship support to more than 370 FVTC students since 2002.  

Scholarships are granted to students motivated to succeed in school and graduate with the ability to get a good-paying job. A unique part of the program is regular check-ins with Salmon Foundation counselors for guidance and support. 

Kamila never imagined a career in health care, but her life experiences led her to it. While she had heart valve surgery as a child, it was later that she was inspired to become a nurse after seeing how her own children were cared for after they were born premature. She’s excited to start her core nursing classes in spring and clinical rotations that will help her decide what type of nursing she wants to do. 

“I have my goal to get my degree and become a nurse. I’m so blessed that we are getting so much support from friends, school and the community,” Kamila says. “Because of this scholarship, I can become one step closer to my dream.”