Ali Hesseltine is a determined individual on a mission to help others. Growing up in a family where her father faced serious health issues, and her mother worked full-time while going back to school posed significant challenges for Ali during her younger years. At the age of 17, after losing her father, she nearly dropped out of school due to the turmoil in her social and home life. Struggling to fit in, Ali became lost and turned to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope.

After four years of drug abuse and six visits to the emergency room for related health issues, Ali had no choice but to try living a sober life. She joined an Alano recovery club and is now proud to say she has been sober for the past eight months. Transitioning back to connecting with society was initially challenging, as Ali felt anger toward herself for ‘losing’ four valuable years of her life. However, she believes her journey has led her to discover her true purpose: serving others. Although Ali had considered attending college for several years, she never pursued that dream because her drug use took precedence in her life.

Looking ahead, Ali realized she needed to acquire skills to assist others, so she enrolled at Saint Paul College in the Summer of 2024 to earn a two-year transfer degree in Liberal Arts. She plans to transfer to pursue a degree in Alcohol and Drug Counseling. She strongly advocates for community colleges, believing that instructors are motivated by a passion for teaching and working with students rather than by a focus on research. Ali has witnessed firsthand that the instructors at SPC genuinely want to help students achieve their goals!

Ali is determined to fit in on campus while standing out by helping others. She believes it is essential to actively participate in classes and form genuine, supportive relationships with fellow students. Ali organizes the Monday Campus Recovery Meeting and works part-time at the SPC Food Pantry, where she enthusiastically provides food and hygiene supplies to those in need.

Ali is now enthusiastically working to connect with others through empathy and compassion. She has realized that she is not “terminally unique,” even though she has felt that way for much of her life. This realization has liberated her to improve herself and reach heights she never envisioned before. Embodying the spirit of Fit In and Stand Out at Saint Paul College, Ali stands out on campus as a friendly face dedicated to generously serving others. As she shared during the recent panel discussion on Putting Student Basic Needs at the Forefront:

“It is important to serve others. Gratitude is the key to embracing learning experiences and life. I want the entire SPC community to know that it is perfectly okay to ask for help, as that is what a caring community is all about.”
Ali Hesseltine, SPC Student, and Food Pantry Worker