Antonette’s journey to WGU is a testament to the power of perseverance. She initially attempted to secure a position as a Program Mentor in 2015. “I applied for that job posting and many others over the next many years but was not selected.” Four years later, Antonette was working as an Adjunct Professor at Ivy Tech Community College when she found another WGU Program Mentor opening and decided to try again. “I saw a Program Mentor job posting and applied without much confidence that the outcome would be positive. After all, I had applied for seven different mentoring job postings over the years. What fueled my determination was the fact that I knew I could be successful at mentoring learners.” Her fortitude paid off, and she was officially hired at WGU in June 2019. Antonette has a long history of prevailing through hardships, and she draws upon her personal experiences to inspire and uplift students, empowering them to weather adversity with courage and resolve. “When working one-on-one with students, I can wholeheartedly empathize with them because I know the resilience it takes to reach a challenging goal. I have overcome many challenges in my life, including being a first-generation college student without family support.” Through her trials and triumphs, she’s developed an exceptional ability to motivate others and help them navigate tough situations. “My first-hand knowledge of the barriers learners face provided me with a toolkit for supporting them through difficult times and enthusiastically celebrating their wins.” Antonette recently received the following text from a WGU graduate: “You are the best mentor, and you made a difference in my life. You deserve a piece of the credit for everything I achieve after WGU.”

Antonette supports not only WGU students but also colleagues and peers who are dealing with the issues common among the aging population. She is a subcommittee chair for the Silver Owls Employee Resource Group (ERG), a community that helps expand access and opportunity for WGU's older employees. Her involvement in the ERG has provided valuable insights into the hurdles that seniors face. “Retirement looks very different in 2024 than it did a generation ago…workers remain in the workforce longer while continuing to bring value to their employers. Ensuring their needs are met for meaningful, inclusive work is important.” Antonette recognizes that aging individuals can sometimes experience discrimination or feel sidelined, saying, “I have an example of a recent instance where I felt a decision was made without the older worker in mind. Keeping diversity and inclusion in mind is something that I would like to see baked into the decision-making process to ensure we are not disadvantaging any groups unintentionally.”

Antonette also serves on a committee that studies DE&I matters and provides recommendations to WGU leadership. She acknowledges that embracing diversity involves honoring individuals of all ages and ensuring their voices are heard. “[The fact that] people are retiring much later in life, if at all, matters. It is important that WGU has an engaged and empowered older workforce that is willing and able to make a significant difference to our mission.”