Each year, Achieving the Dream selects eight community college students to participate in an immersive learning experience at DREAM, our annual convening. Chosen through a rigorous application process, DREAM Scholars are outstanding students with diverse stories who learn alongside community college leaders throughout the conference and bring their voices center stage.

This year’s DREAM Scholars have diverse backgrounds, nationalities, and areas of study — from cinematic arts to computer science to criminal justice. One thing they all have in common is a commitment to achieving their educational goals to both change their own lives and lift up others in their communities.

Ashley Ardis

Central Carolina Technical College

“You can choose to let your past and hardships define you or you can choose to be the hero of your own story.”
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Despite facing setbacks throughout her educational journey, Ashley sees herself as a survivor rather than a victim. A first-generation college student, Ashley originally studied nursing but paused her education to support her sister. She is now studying accounting, determined to not only complete her degree but also help others in her community realize they can achieve their goals.

Ashley’s positive outlook on life and strong sense of determination push her to help women, and particularly single mothers, see their own potential and strength. Ashley is the definition of resilience; she now works more than 60 hours a week, while attending school full time, to support herself and her daughter.

Tamere Briley

Reynolds Community College

“My goal is simple: if my story can inspire just one person to hold on to their college dreams and persevere, I’ll have made a meaningful impact.”
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Driven by her desire to provide for her children and escape the cycle of poverty, Tamere made the difficult decision to leave her past behind and pursue an education. She went from being justice-impacted to excelling in college while studying to be a lawyer. In the process of building her self-confidence and self-determination, she realized that her purpose is to advocate for marginalized communities, especially those impacted by the justice system.

Tamere is a member of the Reynolds Honor Society and former president of Phi Theta Kappa. As the lead student ambassador at Reynolds, she travels to local high schools to show students the importance of an education by sharing her story.

Victoria Robinson

South Central College

“By investing in families, we are investing in a brighter and more promising future.”
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The first English speaker in her family, Victoria helped her parents navigate everyday American life from a young age. From this experience, and to honor her parents’ sacrifices when they immigrated to the U.S., she is determined to support families by helping them achieve financial stability, find stable housing, and pursue education.

Victoria’s life experiences and the obstacles she faced led her to pursue a degree in social work, where she hopes to be a mentor and source of inspiration for others facing similar challenges. She is a vocal advocate for societal change and seeks to lift up the voices of marginalized people in her community. With a passion for helping families overcome barriers, Victoria envisions a path toward the American Dream for every individual she serves.

Makayla Hall

Houston Community College

“You have to take the pen and write your own story.”
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As a Black woman pursuing a degree in cybersecurity, Makayla is passionate about diversity and inclusion in the tech field. She recognizes that she has the power to be a role model, and she seeks to empower other Black women to find careers in technology.

Makayla also triumphed over a speech impediment and now advocates for those facing similar struggles. She reflects on her past setbacks as blessings; these challenges fostered her resilience and resourcefulness, and she hopes to put this growth to good use helping others. As a Texas civic ambassador, she created an app meant to educate people in her community about the voting process and ways to engage with local political systems.

Simphiwe Kunene

University of the Free State (Representing Saide)

“I believe leadership is not a position … but rather a way of life.”
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Simphiwe grew up in government-subsidized housing in South Africa and had a challenging upbringing — but no matter the obstacles Simphiwe faced, he never stopped being a source of hope and positivity to his younger brother. He wanted to change his life, and getting an education was the best path to achieving his goals.

Having earned his bachelor’s degree, he knows that education has the power to change lives, and he mentors others facing similar challenges. Simphiwe was proud to participate in his school’s debate team to further hone his skills and better advocate for his community, and he was elected to the Student Representative Council three years in a row.

Allyson Miller Harrison

Southwest Tennessee Community College

“Because I have been through my darkest points and made it out, I will never stop reaching for the stars.”
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Throughout her education, Allyson always felt like she was either “too much or too little.” She was diagnosed with ADHD and branded a problem child by teachers, while also being bullied for being “too nerdy.” Allyson struggled to succeed after high school and came close to giving up on her educational aspirations. But now Allyson knows that for every step back, she will take two leaps forward toward her dream. She passed her nursing program admissions test in the top 5% — while working three jobs.

Allyson is the president of the Student Nursing Government Association and currently works at a local hospital. She is a staunch advocate for queer homeless youth in her community, and her dream is to provide low-cost, accessible mental and physical health care to those who are unemployed and underemployed.

Laura Ten Fingers

Institute of American Indian Arts

“If we can learn to love and praise each other, then we can all succeed as a people.”
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A member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Laura grew up in a rich cultural environment which inspired her to pursue a path of higher education. As a content creator, she is committed to amplifying and reclaiming Native-focused media — she received the George R.R. Martin Literary Foundation Master Storyteller Award in 2023 for her screenplay about climate change and how it can affect Native communities and has had her photography published in various magazines and media outlets.

Laura does not shy away from difficult conversations; she often encourages discussions about colorism and misrepresentation in Native communities. This shows in her work to advocate and promote inclusivity as president of her school’s Associated Student Government.

Patricio Tinoco

Gateway to College at Madison College

“I would like to encourage other first-generation students to be involved in the college community and empower each other to be successful in the educational journey.”
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As a first-generation student who faced pressure to enter the workforce rather than get an education, Patricio is passionate about helping other Latino students recognize their potential. He is inspired by his parents’ story and his own experiences to share his love of chemistry with others as a student instructor.

Patricio is a member of the National Honor Society, Retention Initiatives and Student Engagement (RISE), Men of Excellence, and Scholars of Promise at Madison College. He is also a proud graduate of the Gateway to College program. Patricio always has a smile on his face and manages to win over everyone he meets with his positive attitude and unwavering dedication to achieving his dreams.