Amber Lopez
Your life experiences shape who you are as a person in many different ways. For Amber Lopez, an outstanding graduate, her life experiences inspired her to pursue a career in social work.
Lopez, a graduate of Life Skills Learning Center in downtown Toledo, always helped others through their life experiences and saw the good in situations even if her life was not in the best place. “I’ve learned that the people who want help and are willing to put in the work will seek change and find it from within,” said Lopez.
When choosing where to get her degree, Lopez said the affordability and flexible schedules made Owens the perfect choice. “The faculty, atmosphere and program of study created pathways to a better quality of life,” she said. As a social work transfer pathway graduate, the future opportunities also played a role in choosing Owens. “My program of study made the transition to a four-year degree university easier, accessible and transferable.”
Through her time at Owens, Lopez took an interest in the BIG Read program. In her two years, she attended four events and it helped broaden her horizon on mental health. “Through the activities, it has taught me that no one is alone and there’s always someone there to listen whether or not they can relate but they can still listen to understand.”
Lopez is a first-generation college student. She hopes to serve as an inspiration to her three young sons, “I hope to begin a new trend in my family starting with my children and future generations to come.”
After graduation, Lopez plans to enroll at the University of Toledo to pursue her social work degree and become a licensed social worker in Ohio.
Learn more about the Social Work Transfer Pathway >>
Learn more about the School of Liberal Arts programs and certificates >>
Published December 2023