Student Colleen Scruggs graduated with Gateway’s Greenhouse Operations associate degree recently, and she is finishing up with a second degree in Landscape Horticulture this spring. 

Why? 

“Why not?” says Colleen. “It was a win for many aspects of my life – being here and being involved. Plus, the extra time and cost of three extra classes to have two degrees is well worth it.”

During her time at Gateway, Colleen completed a few service learning projects, including one with a personal connection. 

“Years ago, my grandfather was heavily involved with Hawthorn Hollow. This is a place that’s dear to my heart, so it was a really special thing for me to be a part of what they do there through a Gateway service learning project,” says Colleen.

“My Landscape Construction class brought me to Hawthorn Hollow, where we worked with their volunteer staff placing huge stone slabs to build a staircase on site. That was a really cool project that we got to be a part of.”

While Colleen loves the connection between this project and her family’s past, she knows that the time she spent on this service learning project will also serve her future.

“I’m looking to get into landscape design, and hardscape  – like the staircase – is a huge portion of that. Understanding what it takes and what goes into these projects will definitely help me navigate these types of things in the professional world in the future,” says Colleen.

Beyond service learning, Colleen feels Gateway is the perfect college for her.

“Being at Gateway serves a lot of pieces of me – challenging my brain, my creativity, being around people who are and aren’t like-minded, and learning from everyone and every moment. Any time I walk to do something on campus, I just feel like everyone is happy to be here and to do what they’re doing here,” she says.

“I love the environment at Gateway. I love all the teachers in this department, the students I’m around, and I finally feel like I found my home here.”