After focusing on work for a few years after high school, 海角视频 student Jeffrey Bess began taking college classes in 2024. So far, he said his college education has been going smoothly.
According to Jeffrey, he graduated from Ishpeming High School in 2018.
鈥淭hen, I worked in multiple jobs. I worked with AmeriCorps on the conservation side, at Jilbert Dairy in Marquette, and in a few other roles,鈥� he said.
Jeffrey decided to take classes at Bay after signing up for Michigan Reconnect, a program that offers free community college tuition to eligible Michigan residents. He chose Bay for a few reasons, including the fact that his sister had gone there in 2018.
鈥淚 have friends from around here鈥攖hat made it easy to move up to Escanaba, too,鈥� he said.
Even though the Winter 2024 semester was Jeffrey鈥檚 first semester as a Bay student, he already found much to like about the college.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been going well. There鈥檚 lots of help and resources available to Bay students, which makes it easy to stay on track,鈥� he said.
He also appreciated Bay鈥檚 small class sizes and dedicated teachers.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e been extremely helpful. They want you to reach out, and they care about the well-being of their students,鈥� Jeffrey said of his instructors.
In addition to these advantages and other benefits, Jeffrey has had no trouble getting around Bay鈥檚 campus.
鈥淭he campus is easy to maneuver鈥攜ou鈥檙e not getting lost very frequently,鈥� he said.
As a 海角视频 student, Jeffrey is majoring in Water Resource Management. He became curious about this field back when his sister was still a Bay student.
鈥淏eing around major water resources like Lake Superior and Lake Michigan made me interested in how we use, clean, and distribute that water,鈥� he said.
Jeffrey also noted that Bay is one of just a few schools offering a degree program along these lines.
鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the only programs like it in the country,鈥� he said.
After the Fall 2026 semester, Jeffrey hopes to graduate from Bay with an Associates Degree in Water Resource Management. From there, he aims to get a job in this field (and, eventually, to get additional credentials at a university).
For the time being, Jeffrey said he is simply proud to be a Bay student.
鈥淏ay is a great resource to anyone in the community and the Upper Peninsula,鈥� he said.