Dugan M.

I was raised in Scarborough by a single mother who worked the night shift overtime at Konica Photo to make ends meet. She died when I was sixteen, leaving me to finish my last two years of high school on my own. I did well in school, but I never considered college.

Three years after settling back down in Portland, I was forced to reevaluate my life and it was at this time I started looking into a career in urban planning since issues in that field greatly concern me. I found I had no idea where to start on pursuing a college education. I just wished I had a college counselor like kids have in high school, so I looked around for someone who knew the ropes and could give me advice. My search led to MEOC where after an introductory workshop I was paired with an advisor who was there for me from preliminary brainstorming through the financial aid process and applications.

I was accepted into the urban planning program at the University of Cincinnati. My plan is to take my degree in urban planning back to Portland and get involved professionally in planning issues that face our city. I’ll have that degree in four and a half years. My dream is to own a home on the peninsula and be seen riding my bike down Congress Street in a suit.