Humans of GSU: Summer Rainey

“Hello, my name is Summer Rainey and I am 21 years old. This is my first year at Governors State University, and it has honestly been a life changing experience. Being a minority and living in the ‘projects’ each have struggles of their own. I saw how violence affected my family, and I wanted to be the one to break that cycle. I knew the way for me to make it out of the projects was to be a 'star student,' which I was.

At 12 years old, I was diagnosed with a rare illness called Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM). Although it landed me in the hospital for months, I didn’t let it stop me. I did schoolwork in the hospital and continued while on bedrest at home. I made a promise to myself and my family to never let my situation stop me from reaching my full potential. In my first year at community college, I was Vice President of the National Honors Society and I made it to the Dean’s list. Seeing how well I did at a 2-year institution made me want to do more. So, one day I decided to apply here at GSU, and I got accepted.

I know what my purpose is in life, and I am making it my mission to make my mark.”

––Summer Rainey, Junior, Community Health, #HumansofGSU