Helping Hands

Business SENSE

Helping Mothers Earn Degrees Is The ANSWER

Dr. Susan Harper with participants at the ANSWER Scholarship annual pancake breakfast fundraiser.

Cornelius resident Dr. Susan Harper has achieved many accomplishments throughout her career as a business psychologist and human resource consultant specializing in professional development for Fortune 100, mid-market, government and healthcare organizations. After spending most of her life in Chicago where she lived with her husband, Dennis Lynch, they chose Cornelius to retire in 2014 for its great climate and quality of life.

It was when she moved to Cornelius she joined the North Mecklenburg Women’s Club. There, she heard Susan Andersen, the founder of a unique nonprofit, ANSWER Scholarship, talk about the mission of the organization that provides college scholarships, mentoring and professional development programs to Charlotte-area mothers of school age children.

“When I retired, I began exploring a volunteer opportunity,” says Harper. “It was important that it be something I could be passionate about. As a business psychologist in my former working life, I knew I wanted to utilize those same skills as a volunteer to help an organization grow and change. Fortunately, I found ANSWER Scholarship six years ago and have been actively engaged with them in a variety of areas.” Mentors for Mom

“I loved the organization’s mission because I am a firm

BY: » Jean Spangler PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF : » Dr. Susan Harper

believer that education changes lives,” says Harper, who will assume the role of Governing Board Chair in January 2021. A graduate of Tulane University, she received a Ph.D. in organizational psychology from the University of Chicago. She has also been an associate professor, teaching business students leadership and organizational behavior.

Founded in 2006 with just four scholarship recipients, ANSWER now has 19 scholars Dr. Susan Harper and vastly expanded programming. The organization has also grown to include 60 volunteers who donate their time in areas including mentoring, professional development, public relations and communications, legal assistance, fundraising and marketing. According to Harper, the organization’s Mentors For Mom program is one of the strongest aspects of helping mothers who postponed their

education due to having children or other life circumstances.

ANSWER serves Mecklenburg and the eight surrounding counties. Since its inception ANSWER has funded 155 college scholarships to almost 90 area mothers.

“We’ve helped some remarkable mothers earn college degrees and become strong and self-sufficient,” says Harper. “In return, their children are inspired to follow their mother’s example and work harder in school.” Impressive statistics

ANSWER’s graduation rate is 85 percent, compared to the national graduation rate of 46 percent for nontraditional students. Program graduates have earned degrees from UNC Charlotte, Winthrop University and Johnson C. Smith University among just a few of the many other colleges and universities. Some have gone on to earn master’s degrees and one scholar is working on her Ph.D.

“What is also gratifying about this scholar is that she realizes that no matter what your circumstances, you must never give up.”

Harper says what she loves most about being part of ANSWER is the satisfaction of seeing a mother truly transform her life and those of her children. She cites one mother who had dropped out of school in sixth grade who came to ANSWER when she was in her mid-30s with several children. Through the support of ANSWER, she completed her college degree and is now in a strong career path. Harper adds that seeing mothers remain dedicated to completing their education while raising children has shown her the perseverance these women have to making a better life for themselves and their families.

“One of our current scholars is a mother of three and a senior at Belmont Abbey earning her B.S. degree in business administration and a minor in information technology,” says Harper.

“This mother lived in a homeless shelter as a child,” she says. “She said her going back to school helped her gain the confidence she lacked early in life.” With each completed semester Harper says she watched this mother’s confidence grow along with her self-worth. Today that former ANSWER graduate works full time as a senior IT technician and website administrator.

“What is also gratifying about this scholar is that she realizes that no matter what your circumstances, you must never give up,” adds Harper. “Goals, dedication and hard work are among the most important things you need to have a happy, meaningful and successful life.”

To learn more about ANSWER and ways to donate or volunteer visit www.answerscholarship.org or contact Susan Harper at smharper1415@gmail.com. Because of COVID-19, all volunteer positions are currently virtual.

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