Shanon Hope Vella

Before moving to Delaware, Shanon Hope Vella lived in Virginia and pursued a college education while working in many different capacities, including as a behavior specialist and preschool teacher. She found it difficult to balance work, school, and household duties and never earned a degree. Moving to Delaware changed Vella's life in ways she never would have predicted.

In 2018, after moving to Delaware, Vella was involved in a gym accident in which both of her legs were crushed. This led to her having to learn how to walk and drive again. Through vocational rehabilitation, she was encouraged to identify an area of interest and pursue a college degree. "This [going to college] was incredibly important to my self-worth," she said. "I felt I had no more value to society. I had to learn to depend on the strength of my brain instead of focusing on the limitations of my legs." She discovered that the human services program at Delaware Tech was a great fit for her. "The more I learned about the human services program, the more I realized that my inherent characteristics (empathy, activism, advocacy, compassion, inclusivity, accessibility, empowerment, positivity, and hope) matched with human services requirements," she said.

Walking through the front doors of Delaware Tech's Owens Campus for the first time was no doubt intimidating for Vella, but she was immediately relieved when she was greeted in the front lobby. "I remember Bobbi Barends and Gail Charrier 'ambushing' me before my first class," she recalled. "I was full of anxiety, and they knew the right words to say. They projected confidence in me, and it was contagious; they believed [in me] until I believed [in myself]."

Vella was forced to be her own advocate for her disability many times, which has inspired her to do the work she does today. "It was terrifying, but it was a life-changing moment; I felt empowered again," she said. "I felt encouraged to embrace my disability and use my past and current experiences to help make the road smoother for those who will follow in my path."

Delaware Tech changed Vella's life in many ways. "I am a better woman, partner, mother, daughter, activist, and advocate because of what I learned at Delaware Tech. I came to Del Tech trying to figure out who the new 'me' was; I found myself here. I am fierce. I am resilient. I am smart. I am valuable." Vella named the availability of Delaware Tech staff as the most valuable resource at the College. "Everyone has supported and encouraged me throughout my entire journey," she said. "They helped me when I struggled with assignments, but they also helped me personally. I was able to adjust to my injury easier because of their support. I never felt like 'just another student.' I was able to adjust to the quarantine and distance learning because I had the best squad of cheerleaders ever."

Now an alumna, Vella is working as a paid employee for the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDARJ) after serving as an intern. She is very involved in her community, participating in church activities, and advocating for those with visible and invisible disabilities. "If I can fight my way through all that happened, I can overcome every other obstacle that comes my way."