Alishia Wells is living proof that hard work and determination can overcome any obstacle. She has lived on her own since she was 16 years old and waited nine years after high school to enroll in GPC. She is raising her mildly autistic son as her body constantly aches from Fibro Myalgia and Lupus. She had to quit her job, leave school and care for her son from a wheelchair. Her illness slowed her down but never stopped her from completing her degree in criminal justice with a 3.6 GPA.

Wells left GPC four times to undergo surgery. "I returned when my health improved and adjusted my schedule by how long I could sit in a class," said Wells.

With the help of GPC’s Disability Services —which she calls awesome— Wells enjoyed great success at the college. She was inducted into GPC’s Phi Beta Kappa honor society and served as a volunteer tutor in the Decatur City and DeKalb County Public Schools. Wells won GPC’s Student Leadership Excellence Award for sacrifices she made to improve the lives of others.

After graduating from GPC, Wells pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with a concentration in Forensic Science at Clayton State University.