Stephanie Willingham • Political Science
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Stephanie has been working on the GM and Delphi lines since 1995, currently at GM Truck and Bus. She is also finishing up her degree at the University of Michigan–Flint. “I’m studying political science – with the hope of changing the world,” she says with a wink and a laugh.
Well, changing the world may be a tall order, but changing her world is something very much in Stephanie’s sights. “We get all this money for tuition, but I don’t think other people realize how important it is. I don’t think they understand the uncertainty within the automotive industry. Personally, I understand that there is a real chance that my job, or even the plant I work in, won’t be here in five years. I am preparing myself and my family for that.”
Stephanie and her husband have two young girls, a four-year old and a two-year old, and she works 2nd shift. It isn’t easy, but according to Stephanie, nothing worth doing ever is. “I think a lot of workers think that it is too much of a time commitment or too demanding or too difficult,” she said. “They need to be made aware of the flexible schedule, the online classes, the quality of the instruction by the professors here and the many, many resources that universities have to make the entire education process, well, entirely doable.”
Stephanie can’t wait to begin her new life upon graduation. Her passion for improving her community is not unlike her passion for improving herself. She stated, “I’m really interested in getting involved in the processes that determine policy and make laws. I want to learn about how political campaigns are run. I want to make a difference. I think it’s all really important and exciting – definitely more exciting than working in the plant. You can’t put a price on doing something you find rewarding.”
Well, changing the world may be a tall order, but changing her world is something very much in Stephanie’s sights. “We get all this money for tuition, but I don’t think other people realize how important it is. I don’t think they understand the uncertainty within the automotive industry. Personally, I understand that there is a real chance that my job, or even the plant I work in, won’t be here in five years. I am preparing myself and my family for that.”
Stephanie and her husband have two young girls, a four-year old and a two-year old, and she works 2nd shift. It isn’t easy, but according to Stephanie, nothing worth doing ever is. “I think a lot of workers think that it is too much of a time commitment or too demanding or too difficult,” she said. “They need to be made aware of the flexible schedule, the online classes, the quality of the instruction by the professors here and the many, many resources that universities have to make the entire education process, well, entirely doable.”
Stephanie can’t wait to begin her new life upon graduation. Her passion for improving her community is not unlike her passion for improving herself. She stated, “I’m really interested in getting involved in the processes that determine policy and make laws. I want to learn about how political campaigns are run. I want to make a difference. I think it’s all really important and exciting – definitely more exciting than working in the plant. You can’t put a price on doing something you find rewarding.”