Faith and Perseverance Lead Sara Bingham to Graduation
Faith and Perseverance Lead Sara Bingham to Graduation
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK- Sara Bingham of Brookfield, CT is looking forward to graduating from the University of Mount Olive (UMO) in August. Her journey has been one of faith and perseverance.
Growing up, Bingham dreamed of entering the healthcare field and following in her grandfather’s and aunt’s footsteps.
“My grandfather was a doctor and my aunt is a nurse,” she said. “I have always known that I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare.”
Her guiding mantra has been Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
In 2003, Bingham moved to North Carolina where she attended West Johnson High School in Benson. After graduation in 2006, Bingham received her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license. She then planned to enroll in the nursing program at Johnston Community College, but was wait-listed. Disappointed but not deterred, Bingham enrolled in their pharmacy technology program, where she earned her associate’s degree in 2008.
In the years that followed, Bingham experienced many of life’s ups and downs with relationships, with furthering her education, and with her career, but she never let those things get her down.
“I trust the Lord with my future and know He is my provider and He will work all things together for my good,” she said.
In December of 2013, Bingham enrolled in the Healthcare Management program at the University of Mount Olive at RTP. It was as if she had finally been handed a compass in the middle of the wilderness – the education wilderness!
“I liked the option of actually attending classes, instead of doing all of my coursework online, like some schools only offer. The one night a week program at UMO allowed me to do this,” she said.
While at UMO Bingham has gained valuable time management and multitasking skills which are very beneficial in her job as a patient coordinator at One Eighty Counseling in Garner and Cary.
“My position requires a lot of multitasking and managing my time in order to meet the needs of our clients and therapists,” explains Bingham. “With my courses being one night a week, I have had to learned to balance my time between school, homework, work, family, friends and everything else. My time at UMO has been filled with wonderful experiences. Each class has prepared me for the next, and I have been provided with tools that will follow me through life.”
On August 27, Bingham will walk across the stage and receive her bachelor’s degree. Cheering her on will be a great deal of family and friends who will help her to celebrate the milestone. After all, Bingham will be the first member of her family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
“At times it was hard, she admits. “I cried a lot. I was stressed. But it is all worth it in the end, and it amazes me how quickly the time went. I feel like it was just yesterday when I started, and now I’m done. It feels incredible. Also, the Lord faithfully provided and I will graduate with no student loans. This was the biggest challenge for me and took sacrifice.”
Bingham concludes by encouraging other adult learners, “Do not let fear stop you from reaching your dreams. You are capable of anything, and it will be worth it in the end.”
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and in Smithfield at Johnston Community College. For more information, visit old.umo.edu.