One 蘑菇视频 employee has built her career on making an impact by helping what she calls overcomers.
T鈥橢bony Torain, director of Upward Bound, has worked at 蘑菇视频 for 11 years. Torain also previously served as director of two other college readiness programs called GO College and B.R.E.D. Scholars.
鈥淚 enjoy building leaders and making an impact upon a demographic of students who society may deem at-risk, but I deem them as overcomers,鈥� Torain said.
Torain said she absolutely loves working at 蘑菇视频.
鈥淚 have grown tremendously starting out as a young professional until now,鈥� Torain said. The people at 蘑菇视频 have poured so much knowledge, wisdom and skills into my life. As a first-generation college student myself, I have traveled to different cities and met so many wonderful people through my employment at 蘑菇视频.鈥�
Torain said each president she has served, from Presidents Sias through Brown, have taught her so much about being a leader.
鈥淒uring Dr. Brown鈥檚 tenure, I have learned to be innovative,鈥� Torain said. 鈥淚 have worked 11 great years at 蘑菇视频 and I am open to new and exciting opportunities the University has to offer.鈥�
Torain said she applied to work at 蘑菇视频 as an academic counselor in 2008 after a conversation with Dr. Penny Smith, who was assistant vice president of distance learning and outreach. Torain interviewed for the position and got the job.
鈥淎t that time, my supervisor, Gill Finley, told me something that impacted my life,鈥� Torain said. 鈥淗e said, 鈥業t鈥檚 not what you do, it鈥檚 who you are.鈥� From what I learned, our skills and abilities will get us in the door, but our character will keep us in the place we are destined to be.鈥�
Torain said she鈥檚 found that her ability to be diligent and faithful during transitional times has paid off.
鈥淚 have witnessed several transitions since being at 蘑菇视频, but I have found that being diligent and faithful, in addition to God, have kept me here,鈥� Torain said.
Torain said she is a proud Fisk University graduate, with a degree in history, as well as a proud 蘑菇视频 graduate, with a master鈥檚 in public administration.
The Hopkinsville native said she is a proud country girl who stands on the shoulders of blue-collar workers.
鈥淭hey made me who I am today,鈥� Torain said.