A second degree offers a second chance

Dawn Marchese Rosado’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of education. At 54, she graduated from Palm Beach State College (PBSC) on May 7, 2025, a milestone that marks the culmination of decades of perseverance through adversity.

 

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Rosado's early adulthood was marked by both hope and hardship. After finishing high school in 1989, she married and welcomed her first son. She enrolled at Long Island University with aspirations to study sociology, but her life soon took a difficult turn. Trapped in an abusive marriage, Rosado made the courageous decision to leave, taking her young son with her. For three years, she navigated the uncertainty of homelessness, moving between shelters in New York and relying on welfare to survive-all while trying to continue her education. The struggle was relentless: “Even trying to get a divorce was incredibly hard,” she recalls. When her son became gravely ill with pneumonia, Rosado was forced to drop out of college to care for him. As a single mother, she found work at the phone company, slowly building a new life for herself and her child.

 

After her divorce, fate intervened when she bumped into an old friend-someone she had met years earlier while volunteering with the local police department. Their friendship blossomed into love, and they married in 1999. Her new husband embraced her son as his own, and together they welcomed a second child. The family relocated to Florida to care for her ailing mother, and Rosado’s focus remained on her family.

 

Despite the demands of motherhood, she still found ways to serve her community. She volunteered with the United Way as a tax preparer for many years. Her work within the community was recognized by PBSC earning a nomination for the Martin Luther King Award for leadership. She also became a passionate advocate for children with disabilities after her eldest son was diagnosed with autism. For years, Dawn put her own ambitions on hold, prioritizing her family’s needs above all else.

 

It wasn’t until the summer of 2020, with her sons grown and the world slowing down due to the pandemic, that she saw an opportunity to focus on herself. She applied to Palm Beach State College to pursue her long-delayed associate degree. “They gave me a second chance,” she said, reflecting on the support she received from PBSC’s student community.

 

At PBSC, Rosado thrived. She became involved with the Center for Student Accessibility, where she discovered Glean, an innovative note-taking tool designed to support students with disabilities. Her enthusiasm for helping others led her to become a Glean student ambassador, a role in which she mentored fellow students and honed her leadership skills. She also served as vice president of services for Phi Beta Kappa at the Lake Worth campus and contributed as photographer and treasurer for the human services department.

 

In May 2024, she earned her first Associate of Science degree in Human Services. The achievement was bittersweet: immediately after the ceremony, she visited her ailing father, who passed away a month later. A year later, she walked across the stage at the Kravis Center, wearing a charm bracelet with her father’s photo, to receive her second associate degree in Youth Development with a 3.8 GPA.

 

Rosado's journey is emblematic of the unique challenges faced by non-traditional students-balancing family, work, and education, often with limited resources and support. Her story demonstrates how flexible, supportive programs and a strong sense of community can empower adult learners to achieve their goals and give back in meaningful ways. Looking ahead, Dawn is committed to advocating for youth and continuing her lifelong mission of service. “I’ve always advocated for children, starting with my own family," she said.  "Now I want to do something to give back to others in the community."  Her story is not just one of personal triumph; it is an inspiring reminder that it is never too late to reclaim your dreams and transform your life through education.