Brandi Swiderski of Clatskanie never set out simply to earn a degree. She set out to change the course of her family’s future.
After spending years working as a hairdresser, Swiderski made the life-changing decision to return to school after a conversation with her teenage daughter about staying in school. When her daughter asked why she should stay in school if her mom hadn’t, the question hit hard. “I want to be the example to my daughter that I didn’t have growing up,” Swiderski said. “My past could have killed me. I’m a recovered addict, and I decided to get my GED and be that example.”
Swiderski enrolled in GED classes through Clatsop Community College, attending at night and online while continuing to work. On the very same day she registered for classes, her life changed again. “The same day I enrolled, I took a pregnancy test and found out I was having another child. But that didn’t stop me,” she recalled.
In under four months, Swiderski completed her GED coursework and immediately transitioned into college classes at CCC. Unsure of her long-term academic path, she focused on building a strong foundation in her core classes earning straight A’s term after term. With guidance from the college’s TRIO Program, Swiderski discovered her passion for business studies. “Amy in TRIO really helped me nail down what I wanted to do and where to transfer,” she said.
At CCC, Swiderski fully immersed herself in campus life. She became a member, and later president, of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, all while balancing coursework, leadership responsibilities, and motherhood. “I remember being in the hospital recovering from delivering my son and watching my economics class lecture online,” she said with a laugh.
Swiderski graduated from Clatsop Community College in spring 2023 with a 4.0 GPA and was named a recipient of the highly competitive Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The award provides up to $55,000 per year to support community college students transferring to four-year institutions and recognizes exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and perseverance.
“I really didn’t want to take out student loans,” Swiderski said. “I had a goal of no student debt. I worked while going to school at CCC, which helped, but the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship made that goal achievable.”
Reflecting on her time at CCC, Swiderski credits the college’s supportive environment for setting her up for success. “The small community and classes offered so much support starting out. TJ Lackner’s statistics class was hard, but I loved it,” she said. “I knew my instructors on a personal level and still stay in touch with some of them. My time at CCC set me up for success to transfer and kept me out of school debt.”
Swiderski chose to attend Portland State University where she completed her bachelor’s degree with a double major in Supply Chain & Logistics, and Business Technology & Analytics in two years all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Inspired by her mother’s example, Swiderski’s daughter also chose to attend PSU.
Her momentum didn’t stop there. Swiderski was accepted into graduate school at PSU and received the Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Scholarship to cover the cost of her advanced studies. True to form, she has chosen to double major at the master’s level, pursuing an MBA alongside a master’s degree in Applied Data Science for Business. She is on track to complete both degrees by June 2027, meaning her entire educational journey, from GED to graduate school, will be completed in just six years and without student debt.
“I did the analysis to see what it would take to cover the cost of my education with the scholarships, and I’m going to make the most of what I was given,” she said. “I don’t have a specific career in mind, but I want the opportunity to be selective. I want to feel fulfilled. I’m working hard so I get to have a choice.”
Balancing school, family, and life is no small task. Swiderski is candid about the challenges. “It’s a lot. I’m a student, a mom, a partner,” she said. “My son has autism, so structure is key. Everything is scheduled. I try not to do schoolwork on weekends so that time is for family. During the week, when my son is at Head Start, I’m strictly a student.”
At PSU, Swiderski doesn’t just take classes to get good grades. She utilizes her classes to focus on projects with real-world impact. One innovation class project has already led her to file a patent for an assistive emotional regulation device designed to support individuals with special needs. “I’m excited to see where this goes and if it can be a tool to help people.”
As someone who began her academic journey through Adult Basic Education, Swiderski is also a strong advocate for continued investment in GED and adult education programs. “That program got me going,” she said. “There is a real need to support adults who want to make their lives better through education, just as much as students on a traditional path. Education is important for everyone.”
Clatsop Community College is proud to celebrate Brandi Swiderski’s extraordinary journey and looks forward to seeing the lasting impact she will make on her family, her community, and beyond.
