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Growing up, Antonia Phillips moved in and out of the suburbs surrounding Chicago, yet the one thing that remained constant in her life was a desire to go to college. Though Antonia’s mother never received a bachelor’s degree, she was determined that her daughters would. Antonia’s mother supported the family as a nurse, until she remarried and was able to home-school her children.
After three years of home-schooling, Antonia thought the transition to university would be overwhelming and the cost too prohibitive. She chose to go to junior college, where she nurtured her academic interest in Nutrition, knowing full well that junior college was only a stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree. In Antonia’s observations, the teachers and students at the junior college lacked the seriousness and drive she sought in her education.
Antonia is now a senior at Benedictine University, a small, 4-year college just outside of Chicago. She is majoring in Nutrition but will continue her studies through a graduate degree in Nutrition and Wellness. Antonia admits to originally being torn on whether to go to the large University of Illinois at Chicago or the small but diverse Benedictine. She says that Benedictine, a school with just over 2,000 undergraduates, is the perfect home for her. Ultimately, Antonia realized that she wanted the community feeling and one-on-one student-teacher interaction that a small school would provide. At Benedictine, she says, “the door” really is “always open.”
Other than her studies, Antonia finds joy in a number of other campus activities. She teaches a Bible study class, sings in the Gospel choir, and is a member of the Nutrition Club. To help supplement her financial aid from Benedictine, Antonia also helps out in the office of the Dean of Student Activities.
Though Antonia maintains that starting at the junior college was useful for her—she was able to get her core class requirements out of the way and wanted the social transition it provided after years of home-schooling—she insists that the opportunity to go to a great, 4-year college is available for everyone. At Benedictine, Antonia notes she found an environment fueled by student curiosity, a diverse group of friends, and professors that offer continual support. Her advice to those seeking a similar college experience: “Don’t look at the price, pick a career that you love and just go after it…no matter what.”
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Antonia Phillips
Benedictine University
Student/Alumni
Antonia Phillips is a senior at Benedictine College where she majors in Nutrition and is seeking to be the first in her family to earn a bachelor's degree. Antonia is active in Bible study class, sings in the Gospel choir, and is a member of the Nutrition Club.
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