Her passion for helping others led her to UofL, where she became a first-generation student, Woodford R. Porter scholar, Multicultural Teacher Recruitment Program scholar and president of the Kentucky 成人直播 Association鈥檚 student program on campus, among several other accomplishments. Now, all of Hunter鈥檚 hard work has paid off and she鈥檚 earned her degree in early education with a track in learning and behavior disorders.

However, Hunter strayed from the path to becoming an educator before finally discovering her calling. She came into college undecided of her major and focused on taking general education courses to explore her options and find her purpose. She tried out nursing, but quickly realized that was not the career for her.

鈥淚 met with my advisor and got into the lower division of nursing and everything,鈥� she said. 鈥淓veryone was so helpful, but in that first week of nursing classes, I figured out that was not for me. I don鈥檛 like blood.鈥�

She ultimately switched to education and never looked back.

鈥淚 think I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but I had those thoughts running through my head, like, 鈥極h, they have to deal with this and that and they don鈥檛 get paid enough,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淏ut once I let all of that go and went toward what I love to do, which is being with kids and helping them out, I really found my true passion in teaching.鈥�

While in high school, Hunter participated in a buddy program where she helped students in a moderate to severe disability classroom. Her experience sparked her interest in helping those with learning and behavior disorders. 聽

鈥淔or one period of the day, I would help students with life skills and go on field trips to learn skills like counting money or how to pick out hygiene products,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e were trying to get those students ready for transitioning in their lives. We helped prepare them for what life after high school would look like and made sure they had the skills they need to transition successfully.鈥�

Hunter, who hails from Shelbyville, knew then she had a passion for helping people. And when it came time for her to decide on a college, an on-campus tour of UofL鈥檚 campus and a scholarship opportunity helped make the decision an easy one.

鈥淚 toured around the university with my cousin who was a student and I just loved it. I saw so many diverse groups of people, which was so different for me, especially coming from a small town,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was very different for me, but an exciting type of different, so I applied for and got the Woodford Porter scholarship, which really swayed me to attend here.鈥�

Being a Porter scholar provided Hunter with a community that helped her discover more about herself and build relationships that have helped her succeed in education.

鈥淚鈥檝e been a Porter since my freshman year and that has allowed me to make so many connections with not just other Black students, but Black educators. That鈥檚 something I鈥檝e not seen a lot of, so those opportunities to connect and network with other Black educators has been really great,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also allowed me to learn a lot more about myself and connect with my dad鈥檚 side of the family, which is my Black side.鈥�

Hunter credits her parents for helping her not only become a first-generation student, but to achieve everything she鈥檚 accomplished over the last four years.

鈥淢y mom and dad cared so much and wanted to make it different for me, so they learned along with me and helped me through it all,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t feels really good to graduate first-gen. Especially since I had no idea at first going through the process of learning all the things that come with college and now I know and can help others and my future children one day.鈥�

In addition to her multiple scholarships, Hunter also serves as a peer buddy for the Best Buddies program, is a member of the Black Student Union, Baptist Campus Ministry, Kentucky Association of Professional African American Women and works as a student success ambassador on campus.

鈥淚 have mentees that are also first-gen students and helping them find resources and support from the Student Success Center has also provided so much help for me too,鈥� she said. 鈥淪eeing the impact I鈥檝e made on my mentees鈥� lives has been so rewarding.鈥�

Hunter鈥檚 professors and mentors have inspired her to make an impact on others.

鈥淚鈥檝e seen the passion all my professors have and being able to help other educators like they鈥檝e helped me is what I want to do. Especially in education, you always need a mentor and someone to help you. I want to be that person to give that back to new teachers or college students or kids.鈥�

For her next move, Hunter is going to attend grad school at UofL to pursue her master鈥檚 in teacher leadership with an ESL endorsement this fall.

One of Hunter鈥檚 fondest memories from her time in undergrad is helping a student learn to write his name during her student teaching.

鈥淚t鈥檚 incredible what you can do just by showing a student they are loved.鈥�