Hi, my name is Dalea Baldwin, and right now I’m standing at the starting line of one of the biggest journeys of my life — becoming a nurse at Delaware State University.

I was raised in a Christian home by my incredible single mom — a strong Army veteran who’s been through more than most could imagine. She lost both of her parents when she was young, yet still found the courage to serve her country and raise four children on her own. For 20 years, she worked a steady government job… until COVID-19 took that stability away.

Even when money was tight, my mom filled our home with faith, love, and the belief that hard work could open any door. That belief is what pushed me to excel — graduating high school Summa Cum Laude, earning multiple honor roll awards, and even winning second place in my school’s STEM Fair.

I’ve worked since I was 16 — at Chipotle, IHOP, Claire’s, and even doing community service at Martha’s Table — saving every bit I could while still keeping up with my studies. But as I begin my nursing program, the reality is… the costs are overwhelming.