Brigid's Story

When Brigid Hamway ’25 talks about her experiences at Landmark College, she is clear about one thing: without financial aid, she wouldn’t have been able to stay.

“I needed help to finish my associate degree,” says Brigid, who graduated in December 2025. “Thanks to amazing financial aid support, I was able to start—and finish!—my Landmark degree.”

Brigid arrived at Landmark unsure of what to expect. She had always been a strong student, but ADHD, perfectionism, and the shift to remote learning during COVID made her last year of high school and first year of college difficult. Staying on track felt like a constant uphill climb.

At her father’s suggestion, she visited Landmark. At first, she was hesitant. But after hearing LC students speak honestly about their experiences, she began to see a place where she might fit.

The self-described “people avoider” soon surprised herself at Landmark. She volunteered at the Center for Women and Gender and later worked across the Centers for Diversity and Inclusion. She also became a resident assistant (RA). Through these experiences, she found purpose, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

“I don’t think I would have been this involved—or this confident—at a bigger school,” she says.

From the start, Brigid knew she needed a college designed for students who learn differently. She also knew affordability was a critical factor for her family. College-funded, state, and federal financial aid, plus campus work-study jobs, made her studies possible.

But with one of her younger sisters preparing to start college, Brigid needed to take on financial responsibility for her final term. She met with the College’s financial aid team and learned she could receive additional support, including endowed scholarships. She also continued to work as an RA, which covered housing, and worked on campus. Collectively, those resources made it possible for her stay enrolled. And, during her final semester, Brigid became the coordinator of the Centers for Diversity and Inclusion.

“I didn’t think I’d be able to stay,” says Brigid. “But the Office of Financial Aid helped me create an affordable plan so I could complete my associate degree. I’m now a proud graduate!”

On her graduation day, Brigid received the College’s Charles Drake Award. Named for the College’s founder, this honor recognizes a student who inspires others by giving their best and persevering in pursuit of their goals. The award notes: “This student helps the rest of us realize that we have more resources to draw upon than we think, and helps us keep going when we feel discouraged.”

Currently, Brigid is working as a paraprofessional with Boston Public Schools in a kindergarten inclusion classroom. “I’m there to assist the teacher with managing the classroom and providing instructional help to students who need higher support,” she says. “I’m applying the skills and strategies I learned at Landmark in every class!” 

In Fall 2026, Brigid will begin a bachelor’s degree in accounting at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. “I left Landmark with stronger self-advocacy skills, resilience, and confidence,” she says. “I never imagined I could grow and change so much in such a short time. I’m a different person,” she says.