Hi my name is Dr. Angelina Wagner.

My journey has been anything but easy. At 15 I had the courage to run away from an abusive home and seek help. Once I was safe, I was finally given the chance to learn how to read and write. With the support of the family who took me in, I studied through correspondence courses and earned my high school diploma at 21. That was only the beginning.

Since then I have worked hard for every degree. I earned my bachelor’s, my master’s, and now my doctorate. Each came with sacrifice and struggle, and I was never able to celebrate any of them. My bachelor’s came just before giving birth, my master’s during the pandemic when ceremonies were canceled, and my doctorate this year after years of perseverance and faith.

Now I have the chance. On December 6th in San Diego I can finally walk across the stage for my doctorate. My dream is to have my family of four there with me.

I am asking for help to cover flights from Connecticut, a place to stay, a rental car, food, and the required graduation regalia.

This moment is about more than a stage. It is about honoring the girl I once was and the woman I have become. It is about showing my daughters, including my neurodivergent daughter who is starting her own school journey, that no matter where you begin, dreams can be reached and they are worth celebrating.

Any donation, share, or encouragement means more than I can ever say.

With gratitude,

Dr. Angelina Wagner, DBA