Monique Lilley

Monalisa,Milton, Michael, and Moleke, call it cliché but all of our names start with an "M." I believe success comes to no one you have to work for it. I was born on
April 21st 1989. My place of birth is Brooklyn New York but I was raised in South Carolina from the age10; Guess that means I am a South Carolinian girl. My accomplishment was to not become a statistic and use the death of a love one as a crutch. I am a prime example of a person who literally started from the bottom of the barrel and worked her way up to the top.

In undergrad I did not have a mentor until my junior year; it wasn't like I did
not want one but the ones that was appointed to me seemed as if they did not
want me to succeed. They were very discouraging; they would say things like
"you're not going to graduate on time, you can't do this and you won't do
that." Until one day I met Dr. Michael Busko-- my mentor. Dr. Busko helped me
become more organize in life and he truly believed in me. Even though I was on
the verge of not graduating in May of 2011-- I was determined to. I took 18
credit hours during fall and spring semester junior and senior year and for
Summer 13 hours. I had an overload for two years and I came out with A's in the
most difficult classes. From that period I became determine and any negative
people that cross my path I pretty much ignored them.

Although I am 23 I have overcame a lot in life such as; bad attitude, negativity-- I had to realize the importance in life therefore, what I admire about myself is that
I am a believer and an achiever. A quote I like to use to myself that
encourages me: I cannot change the world, but I can present the world with one improved person -Myself.