Meet some of our terrific students

Laura Mochinski

Milgard School of Business
Husky Promise Scholarship

Laura Mochinski’s parents worked hard to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table for Laura and her three brothers. None of her siblings finished high school. Laura herself dropped out in her junior year to attend a program at Edmonds Community College that allowed her to earn her GED and a professional technical degree. She didn’t want to struggle as her family did and realized she needed more education.

Over the next few years, Laura tried to stay in school and work part-time, but it got more difficult when she had a daughter and later a son. Still, she managed to work part-time so she could take one class at a time at Highline Community College.

“I did extremely well,” she said, “and worked my way up to full-time classes.” She consistently made the Vice President’s Honor Roll and got a work-study job as an office assistant at the campus print shop, where she began to practice the skills needed for a career in accounting.

Now 25, Laura’s a senior at UW Tacoma, nearing completion of a bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis on accounting. She works in Student Services as an office assistant — part-time during the school year and full-time during summer break. Getting a scholarship at UW Tacoma allows her to finish her education without having to work full-time. When she graduates, Laura’s dream is to get a good-paying job in accounting and not have to worry about keeping a roof over her children’s heads.