From Surviving to Becoming

For Carteret Community College student Megan LeRay Grohmann, that courage became the turning point that changed everything.

“I wear my scars with pride,” she said. “They are a reminder of a time when life tried to break me, but failed.”

A Life Reclaimed and a New Path Forward

Before stepping into the classroom, Megan describes her life in one simple but powerful way.

“I was just existing.”

It was a time marked by pain, survival, and difficult choices.

She faced addiction, worked to escape and heal from domestic violence, and carried the weight of deep personal trauma, including the heartbreaking decision of placing her two children up for adoption.

“The challenges I was facing were beating addiction, healing from trauma, and trying to rebuild my life,” she said.

But even in those moments, something inside her refused to give up.

Through faith, support, and determination, Megan began the long process of healing. Slowly, her life began to change.

One of the most meaningful changes came in a way she once may not have imagined.

After 6 years and 9 months of no contact, Megan has been able to reconnect with her daughter. Today, they share weekly visits, rebuilding a relationship rooted in love, healing, and hope.

That reconnection is more than a milestone.

It is a reflection of how far she has come.

And it strengthened her desire to move forward, not just for herself, but for others.

“What motivated me was my urge to help others recover from addiction and heal from trauma,” she said. “To show others that even when life beats you down, you are stronger.”

Finding Strength Through Education and Support

In 2024, Megan earned her GED and took a step that would change her future by enrolling at Carteret Community College.

She chose the Social and Human Services program, driven by a desire to turn her experiences into purpose.

“I wanted to gain the education to help others that are in the position I was in before,” she said.

At Carteret, Megan found more than a program.

She found people who believed in her.

“The biggest impact from resources available to me has been my advisors, TRIO, the NCWorks Re-entry Program, and Students for Christ,” she shared.

Faculty members like Karen Bochnovic, Lauren Seymour, and Felicia Wright played a meaningful role in her journey, offering guidance, encouragement, and support along the way.

“The support I received helped me build faith, not just in God, but in myself, that I am worthy of an education and a future,” she said.

Through her coursework, Megan gained valuable skills. She learned psychology, how to assess client needs, and how to connect individuals with the resources they need to rebuild their lives.

But what she gained went far beyond knowledge.

“Education has helped me grow personally and professionally in ways I never thought were possible,” she said.

Her dedication is reflected in her accomplishments.

She has earned a place on the Vice President’s List multiple semesters, completed her Social and Human Services Certificate with Honors, earned her Human Services Technology Substance Abuse Certificate with Honors, and was nominated for the Dallas Herring Achievement Award.

“When I received my first honor recognition and was nominated for the Dallas Herring Achievement Award, that is when I realized I can really do this,” she said.

Turning Healing Into Purpose

Today, Megan is already putting her education into action.

She is completing her internship at The MirIAM, a Christian-based rehabilitation program for women, where she also works as a house mother, supporting others as they walk their own paths toward recovery.

“This program has not only improved my employment, but it has placed me on the path I need to be on,” she said.

Her work is deeply personal.

She understands the struggles because she has lived them, and that allows her to connect with others in a meaningful way.

“Working in Social and Human Services is meaningful to me because I want to help those that are struggling and show them they are worthy of a bright future,” she said.

Balancing school, work, and life has not been easy.

“I have had to learn how to manage my time and stay focused, but I kept going,” she said.

Through that perseverance, she has found something even greater than success.

She has found purpose.

“Education has given me the drive to achieve more and become someone my younger self would be proud of,” she said.

A Future Built on Hope

Megan’s future is no longer defined by her past.

It is shaped by her purpose.

She plans to continue her education, earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, while continuing to serve her community and support individuals in recovery.

“I want to make a difference by helping others achieve and maintain sobriety and build better lives,” she said.

Her message to others is one of strength and possibility.

“It may be scary at first, but knowledge is power, and that is something no one can take from you,” she said.

And perhaps most importantly.

“We are not our pasts. No matter what we have done, we can grow and change into better people,” she said.

More Than a Second Chance

At Carteret Community College, Megan found more than an education.

She found opportunity.
She found support.
She found belief.

“Carteret has opened so many doors for me through the skills I have gained, the knowledge I am learning, and the connections I have been blessed with,” she said.

Her story is not just about overcoming the past.

It is about stepping into something greater.

Because sometimes, the most powerful transformation is not just about healing.

It is about using that healing to help others find their way forward.