At first, it seems that Crystal Rodwell doesn’t want to be noticed. She sits in the back of the classroom, typically not the place for academic overachievers, and doesn’t jump to answer every question the professor asks. Yet, when Crystal speaks, people listen: what she has to say usually makes a lot of sense. There is determination in her dark brown eyes and her answers are infused with shades of life-shaping experiences.
At 26 years old, Rodwell is not only a student at Baruch College majoring in Public Affairs, an Associate Director of Evening Studies and Academic Scheduling at Kingsborough Community College, a poet, and a musician, but she is also a mother. In 1995, on the verge of graduating high school, Rodwell found out she was pregnant and had to put her educational career on hold. Yet, throughout that time period, Crystal always knew she would return to school.
“I always wanted a better life in terms of comfort and financial responsibility for myself and my family. Education is an important tool in obtaining this goals,” Rodwell stated as her primary motivation in deciding to return to college in the fall of 1997, when her daughter Janaia was two years old.
Single But Not Alone
Crystal Rodwell is not alone in her quest to make a better future for herself. Almost 29 percent of females enrolled in an institute of higher learning have dependents and about half of those women are single mothers according to the American Council on Higher Education.
However the odds stacked against these women can seem almost insurmountable. Not only do these single parents face the daily stresses of being a college student, they must face complications of adequate care for their children, as well as financial strain. Almost 41 percent of single parent households live at or below the poverty level. According to the National Association of Working Women, in 49 states the average annual cost of child- care exceeds the annual cost of public college tuition.
At the beginning of Crystal’s college venture, the stress of work and school was too much to handle. “I was a manager at a movie theater and I went to school in the morning and worked from afternoon through the late evening. I made it through one grueling semester. I was working 50-60 hr weeks and I almost didn't survive. My job was not very supportive, which added to the difficulties I was already facing trying to balance work, home and school. Somehow, at the time, I thought it was feasible.”
To make things easier for single parents attending school, Baruch College has an Early Learning Center that provides childcare to 45 student families that have children from 21/2 to five years old. Currently the center operates between 8:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m. It was suggested at an Undergraduate Student Government Meeting that the hours be extended to 10 pm because many single parents work during the day and attend school at night.
Raquel Shepard, another young mother studying at Baruch, offered, “ It is a good idea to have extended hours at the Early Learning Center. Parents can leave their children in a secure and professional environment for later hours instead of looking for other inefficient and expensive day care center.”
For Crystal the Early Learning Center does not provide much help. Her daughter is eight years old and does not qualify for the services no matter how late the center stays open.
Making It Against The Odds
“For me the hardest part of going back to college is staying when it gets rough. Babysitters call and cancel. Spouses and family become unsupportive. Work gets hectic. Laundry piles up. You fall behind in readings. You fall asleep in class. But no matter what, you have to stick with it. You study on the train. You teach your child. You learn to sleep less. You write papers on your lunch break. And somehow, you make it,” she sighs.
Regardless, Crystal Rodwell is determined to succeed. She keeps herself motivated by knowing that her daughter witnesses her dedication to education and Crystal hopes her daughter will continue that commitment throughout her own life. In addition, because Crystal has an open and honest relationship with her workplace, it is generous in working around her school schedule.
The coordinator of the Kingsborough program, Monique Black, admires Rodwell’s relentless determination. “Crystal's dedication to achieving her educational goals has been very strong and unwavering. Despite the pressure of deadlines in the Office of Evening Studies, Crystal shows such dedication to the work she performs, I know that she has the same fire, if not more, when it comes to her school work. Her strong devotion in these areas of her life, along with an awesome, positive attitude, has made her successful. She is truly a wonderful example for anyone to follow.”
With a goal always in sight, the future paints a rosy picture for Crystal. Rodwell plans to run several nonprofits during her lifetime dedicated to helping children in the areas of music and education. She continues to write and hopes to publish several volumes of poetry.
In thought, Crystal’s voice trails off, then grows strong again, resolute in her desire to inspire other single mothers. “I say never but never give up! Find a way. If you can't go to college now, start planning now for later, with later being as soon as possible. Think practically. Always have a back-up plan (and a back-up sitter if you can). Focus your academic career on what interests you, so you stay motivated. The rewards are more than the costs. ”
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