Gina Hosking

Student

As of the fall 2022 semester, Bay College sophomore Gina Hosking was on track to graduate from Bay at the end of the year – for the second time, that is. While her pathway through higher education has been unconventional, she thanked Bay for helping her get to where she is today.

After she graduated from Escanaba Senior High School in 1990, Gina didn’t wait to begin her college career.

“I came to Bay and got an associate degree in water resource management,” she said, noting she liked how close Bay’s campus was to her home.

Along with this, she appreciated the rare opportunity Bay provided to study her field of choice.

“They were one of the only schools that offered water resource management in the country,” Gina said.

After earning an associate degree in water resource management in 1992, Gina was hired by the City of Wyoming, MI to work at its wastewater treatment plant. While doing so, she went to Davenport University in the hopes of earning a bachelor’s degree in computer management – but her plans changed before long.

“Then, I became a stay-at-home mom for a number of years. I raised my three kids, and now I’m back,” she said.

When the time came to resume her college education, Gina decided Bay would be an ideal fit. So far, she has had minimal difficulties getting back into the swing of things.

“It’s harder because I’m older, but it’s been really good,” she said.

She also noted that she has not felt out of place because of the trajectory her educational journey has taken.

“I feel like I’m treated like everybody else by students and teachers, even though I’m non-traditional,” Gina said.

According to Gina, she switched her major to business administration because of how widely applicable credentials in this field can be.

“I needed to get something that’s broad enough that I can use it in a lot of different ways,” she said.

Currently, Gina is on track to finish her Bay classes at the end of the fall 2022 semester. She will not have to leave the Escanaba campus to take the next step in her college education thanks to Bay’s partnership with Lake Superior State University.

“I’m going to graduate from Bay in December. In January, I’ll start my LSSU classes at Bay for a bachelor’s degree in business administration,” she said.

According to Gina, she is still making up her mind about what to do with her new degree after she earns it.

“I’d like to be in management somewhere. Industrial is what I lean towards, since I have a science background,” she said, adding that she hopes to move out of the area after finishing college.

Finally, Gina thanked Bay’s staff and faculty for the financial assistance (and general support) they have given her during her return to the college.

“Don’t be afraid of the unknown – the financial aid office will help you a lot. That was a concern I had, but everything’s worked out really well,” she said.