My MEC Story: Deeply personal loss and sacrifice? Been there. But it has led to unimaginable blessings.
Editor’s note: My MEC Story is an occasional series featuring students and alumni at Medgar Evers College with unique stories — and a willingness to tell them.
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By Nadisha Hall, Medgar Evers College Biology major
Who am I? I am an immigrant who refused to become just another statistic. I believe that God created me to be above and not beneath, with no limits to what I can achieve. Yet, I am still in awe of the person I have become — the obstacles I have overcome and the hurdles I have jumped. I fell, but I didn’t stay down. I got up.
Here I am, a first-generation student who never imagined she could earn a GED, let alone an associate degree, and now, I am on the path to a Bachelor’s in Science.
Before discovering Medgar Evers College, attending college seemed like an impossible dream. I came to America on a visitor’s visa, intending to stay for a two-week vacation. But those two weeks turned into two months, and two months turned into nine years.
During one of our many conversations, my Aunt Pat in Florida asked me, “What are you going back to Jamaica for? You don’t have a job because you resigned before you left. You don’t have a husband, a house, money in the bank, or a car. Technically, you have nothing left in Jamaica except your 15-year-old son. Your parents can take care of themselves, so what are you really going back to?” She went on, “You’re young, with endless opportunities if you stay in America.”
Inspired by her words, I decided to stay and explore the opportunities she believed were possible for me.
Encouraged but uncertain, I extended my stay. However, due to American immigration laws, my status shifted after six months from being a visitor to being undocumented. Suddenly, I found myself in a new world with countless obstacles—housing, finances, lack of support — and no family to lean on.
It was just “me, myself, and I.”
My thoughts became both my best friend and my greatest enemy as I struggled to navigate this uncharted territory.
With no money and no clear path forward, I chose to focus on self-improvement.
I enrolled in various certification courses — Newborn Care Specialist (NCS), Home Health Aide (HHA), and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), to name a few. All the while, I was living with a husband who constantly reminded me, “My ex-wife had a Ph.D. My ex-wife makes six figures.” In my thoughts, I wondered, “What even is six figures?” But I dared not ask. Looking back, the mental abuse was undeniable, yet I tried to ignore it. I hid my ambitions and went back to school without my husband even knowing, because the verbal, emotional, and mental abuse was as real as it could get. Some things he said to me were so hurtful that, for my own peace and sanity, I dare not repeat them.
Then COVID hit, and I lost my job. Stripped of almost everything, I decided to try again. I enrolled in a GED class at Mid-Manhattan Adult Learning Center, and this time, I successfully earned my GED — a turning point that rekindled my belief in myself.
My friend Gaynel encouraged me, saying, “Medgar Evers has the best nursing program.” Devon challenged me, “If you enroll in one more certificate class, do not speak to me!” And Andrea, recognizing my determination, paid for my application fee because I couldn’t even scrape together two pennies to rub.
In my first semester, I left my very first class in tears because the professor had a huge cup that read, “Read the syllabus.” From that moment on, I made it my mission to read every syllabus for every class I took. Unfamiliar words like mitochondria, cytoplasm, and lysosomes soon became my closest companions. Time passed, and one semester turned into four. My vocabulary grew, and what started as a struggle to earn credits eventually led to an associate degree.
Through Medgar Evers College’s revolving doors, I finally found my community. I was paired with my guardian angel, Ms. Mason, from the SEEK Department. Here I was at 9 a.m., having stayed up all night crying and waiting for the morning to come so I could bombard my destiny helper with questions — questions from a freshman who had no idea how much hidden potential she held. I arrived on campus in tears, entered Ms. Mason’s office in tears, and was ready to quit. She listened patiently as I poured out my million reasons why college wasn’t for me. Then, with calm conviction, she said, “The fact that you had the courage to start, the courage to turn up here and drop tears on my desk, means you’ll find the courage to stay strong and finish strong. You got this.”
Her words fueled my energy and determination to keep going, to stay encouraged, and to keep showing up — even to this very moment. For me, she was like my “24-hour always available help.” I knew my endless emails, text messages, and phone calls could be overwhelming, but she was always there for me with unwavering patience and care.
The Transition Academy food pantry became my supermarket, and the Women’s Center my therapy. Campus Security and the Environmental Staff welcomed me like family. Medgar Evers College was more than just an institution; it became my home away from home, a place where I felt seen, supported, and empowered to push forward despite my challenges.
Medgar Evers College introduced me to various programs, including SEEK, CUNY ICORP, TRIO, and the Women’s Center. These programs paired me with mentors who helped clarify the path to realizing my dream of becoming a nurse. My academic journey has been marked by a consistent pursuit of excellence. This dedication is reflected in my presence on the Dean’s List for two consecutive years (2021-2023) and my achievement of placement on the Provost’s List in 2023. These accomplishments demonstrate my commitment to rigorous academic standards and my ability to thrive in a challenging environment.
Beyond academics, I actively seek opportunities to contribute to my community and gain practical experience. As Treasurer of the Medgar Evers Science Association (MESA Club), I have honed my organizational and financial management skills. My internship with the Brooklyn Recovery Corps within Medgar Evers College’s Communication and Events Department has further broadened my skill set, providing valuable insights into public service and community engagement. Currently, my participation in the CUNY Immersive Research Experience (CIRE) is allowing me to delve into hands-on research, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. This experience has solidified my desire to pursue graduate studies.
This journey has not been without its sacrifices. My resume read “full-time student,” but they hired me anyway. During the interview, I asked, “Does the company support higher education?” The answer was, “Yes, we do.” Semesters came and went, class schedules changed, and soon, higher education began to interfere with my work. I chose school. In choosing school, I lost a lot — a marriage, friends, an overwhelming job, and perhaps even housing.
Throughout it all I stood steadfast, God has always been my rock. If I had to choose a Bible character to describe myself, it would be Job. I lost so much, but today, I can proudly say I have gained 100-fold. I have peace, self-growth, emotional resilience, and a degree with “Nadisha Hall” printed on it. This journey has taught me that loss can lead to unimaginable blessings, and with faith, perseverance, and determination, there are truly no limits to what I can achieve.
I am ready for the next chapter — one where I continue to challenge myself, grow, and make a lasting impact in my community.
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My MEC Story
A look at previous installments in this series, written by students and alumni:
My MEC Story: Advocacy wasn’t an option — until I made it one.
My MEC Story: Embracing risk-taking in the face of judgment
My MEC Story: Obstacles? That’s putting it lightly.
My MEC Story: Wife. Mom. Grandmother. Hairstylist. Graduate. Mentor. And still going.
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If you’re interested in telling your story, please fill out this form and we will get back to you within 48 hours.