Meet Kleshea Douglas – Germanna Student

“The Germanna community feels like home to me,” says 18-year-old Kleshea Douglas. “It’s completely different than the environment that I came from.”

Kleshea moved to Fredericksburg from Texas in the summer of 2023 seeking more opportunities for her future. She enrolled at Germanna to pursue the pre-BSN degree with the dream of becoming a traveling nurse.

For Kleshea, this dream felt out of reach just a few years ago.

“Growing up, I faced a lot of challenges within my home,” she says. “I had a domestically violent father, which really took a toll on my family.”

The danger and uncertainty she experienced at home forced her to seek refuge elsewhere. Her safe space was school.

“Going to school was my escape from reality. I was really dedicated to my schoolwork and got good grades. I was a bit of a bookworm.”

But when her home life began to deteriorate, Kleshea didn’t know where to turn. 

The stress in her home environment resulted in Kleshea developing social anxiety and depression. And as the oldest of four siblings on her mother’s side, she says she considered dropping out of school to focus on her family and be there for her younger siblings.  

But just as her hope was dwindling, she received a letter in the mail promoting a new charter high school that would be opening up in her area.  

“It seemed like a good opportunity, so I wanted to enroll,” she says. Premier High School, a Texas-based program, offers specialized and unique educational opportunities to prepare students for success in the future. Enrolling at Premier High School allowed Kleshea to join a medical assistant program and take a few classes to learn about the industry. This sparked her love for healthcare.

Kleshea finished out the rest of her high school career at the new school, graduating as valedictorian of her class. And shortly after graduation, she moved to Virginia with her grandparents, starting her journey at Germanna just two weeks after moving.

Dealing with the culture shock of an entirely new environment, Kleshea felt lost.

Kleshea joined Germanna’s Mentorship program, designed to help students be successful while working towards their goals at Germanna. Available for all, the program matches students with a community mentor to provide personalized support and necessary resources throughout the student’s journey.

“My mentor has been incredibly helpful on my journey thus far,” says Kleshea. “Any time I need to talk, whether it be about something personal or school-related, my mentor is there to listen to me. She helps to lead me in the right direction whenever I need advice, and I’ve learned a lot from her.”

To further connect with the campus culture, Kleshea also works as a work-study with the College’s Equity Advancement department, which allows her to help with and attend campus events.

“Having a part-time job in college seemed like it would be difficult, but I actually really enjoy it and I’ve had great experiences that I otherwise wouldn’t have had.”  

As her second semester at Germanna comes to a close, Kleshea is grateful for the college community that has welcomed her with open arms.

“The Germanna community feels like an extension of my own family, and it has truly become my second home,” she says. “You can tell everyone here wants to make an impact, and that’s really inspiring.”

After finishing her associate degree at Germanna, Kleshea plans to attend James Madison University to pursue her bachelor’s degree in nursing—an accomplishment that at one point, felt impossible.

“Though my mom and younger siblings are still in Texas, I know they’re proud of me. I hope to continue being a role model to them.”