Santario Washington

Despite a difficult childhood, Santario Washington loved school and was willing to do whatever it took to graduate high school on time and attend college. After failing her classes her first semester at Prairie State College, she enrolled in the CRCP where she received the support and the finances she needed to pursue a nursing degree. Despite riding the bus at night to get to work and the challenges of a nursing curriculum, Santario turned her grades around, earning a 4.0 GPA her first semester in the CRCP. She says “the CRCP changed my life literally. I was able to pay my rent and the support from CRCP staff helped keep me on track”.

After earning her associates at PSC, Santario received a full scholarship to Governors State University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.93 GPA, becoming the first in her family to graduate college. During her CRCP journey, she met fellow CRCP student Zharmarr Thompkins, now her husband. After graduating from GSU, Santario realized her first career goal, to work in the ICU. She is currently a traveling nurse, is completing pre-requisites and saving to pay for medical school within the next few years.

Santario says moving packages is physically hard, but the time management, ability to balance homework and school and her dedication have contributed to the work ethic she has now. She wants to be a role model for others who have a difficult journey and says her little sister is proud of her.