Dawn Marshall knows the meaning of hard work because she’s lived it every step of the way. One of five children, she got her first job at just 15 and never looked back. From working the assembly line and ringing up groceries as a cashier to serving as a pharmacy tech, salesperson, and even volunteering as an EMT, Dawn has always rolled up her sleeves to get the job done.

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Determined to build a better future, she put herself through college—becoming the first in her family to earn a degree. Her journey didn’t stop there. She worked as an archaeologist, volunteered in underfunded schools, and earned both a Master’s and Ph.D.

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As a college professor, Dawn returned to the kind of institution that changed her life: a local community college. There, she dedicated herself to helping students from working-class backgrounds find their footing and achieve their goals—just like she did.

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Dawn Marshall’s story isn’t just inspiring—it’s proof that when determination meets opportunity, anything is possible.