Jacque Hadley’s path to earning her accountancy degree from Boise State University has been anything but straightforward. She first enrolled in classes in 2004, but life circumstances pulled her away from finishing her degree. Now, as a single mother, she’s more determined than ever to graduate — not just to build a better future for her daughter, but to show her that perseverance and support from others can lead to life-changing outcomes.
Hadley received the C. Mike Merz Scholarship Endowment, awarded to accountancy students in Boise State’s College of Business and Economics. The scholarship was established in 1999 by C. Mike Merz, a Boise State emeritus professor of accountancy.
“Receiving this scholarship helps me in countless ways,” Hadley said. “As an independent student, I am building student loan debt that far surpasses my classmates. And as a single mother, I am making ends meet with food stamps and the Idaho Child Care Program. Receiving this scholarship takes some weight off my shoulders as I finish this last semester and graduate.”
It was through her work as a bookkeeper that she found her career path.
“I knew instantly that my passion was accounting,” she said. “After I graduate in December, I would like to stay in the private sector instead of working in public accounting.”
The path to earning her degree hasn’t been easy, but Hadley has been earnestly committed to reaching her academic goals. She has carried a class load of a minimum of 12 credits each semester, with no summer breaks, all while working and raising her child.
With a bright future in business, she plans to reside in the Boise area to raise her daughter and one day give back to help others.
“I hope to inspire my daughter to always strive for greatness by remaining diligent in tough times,” Hadley said. “I look forward to finding a career that allows me also to foster hope and joy for others. Boise is a wonderful place to live, and I look forward to giving back to my community and teaching my daughter the value of giving.”
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