Monica Greene is helping students succeed through college.

Helping students is just something that she decided she wanted to do while she was in college.

She explains that while she was working to assist young people in science labs, she decided that she enjoyed that more than being in the laboratory.

She received her Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Claflin University. Later she went on to receive her masters from S.C. State and she just achieved her doctorate degree in organizational leadership from Argosy University.

Her research for her doctorate degree was on the effects of leadership on first generation college students.

She explains that she is a first generation college student and wants to help others achieve that dream.

While Greene resides and works in Orangeburg, she is a product of the Newberry County schools and credits many people with helping her out along the way.

Greene is a Mid-Carolina graduate from the class of 1992 and she actually was not planning to attend a four-year college at first.

She thought she would go to Piedmont Technical College first but then in April 1992, she received a phone call from Claflin. The school awarded her a full, academic scholarship.

However, in addition to receiving the scholarship, she also worked on campus throughout college as well as graduate school.

In addition to her parents, Leslie and Thelma Lyles, Greene received support and motivation from several other Newberry people.

It all started at Triangle Day Care in Newberry. She went there until she was nine years old, learning from Clyde and Jessie Hill, the owners of the child care center.

Even now Greene recalls staying in touch with the Hills who helped shape her life in addition to her parents, she says.

In high school, Greene had another face to help her navigate into college.

Greene recalls her godmother, Mildred Goggans, who was a guidance counselor at Mid-Carolina High.

She recalls riding to school with Goggans who gave her advice about being a lady and making wise decisions and choosing the right friends.

Goggans also helped Greene with college applications and helped her parents understand through the college application process as well since they never attended college.

Greene never segued away from her dream and when it comes to giving advice to others she says to never give up and to look for help from others when necessary.

She also recalls something her dad always said and that is to always remain humble.

Despite what she accomplishes and how successful she becomes, she retains humility as though she were back at home in Newberry.