Kimberly Carraghan admits that her life story has had many rough turns. Through it all, she is confident that her latest chapter will be her best.

Carraghan was bartending when a mentor encouraged her to go back to school and pursue a professional life in counseling. Inspired, Carraghan, then in her 40s, began as a Liberal Studies major at Northampton Community College taking as many psychology classes as she could.

When she had only four classes left, Carraghan suffered a major stroke that debilitated the right side of her body and her short-term memory. Carraghan had to do much physical therapy after the accident, and she did not feel that she had the capacity to continue her education.

However, Carraghan soon met the man who would become her fiancé. Together, they volunteered with Bikers Against Child Abuse and the Last Days Motorcycle Ministry, which reignited Carraghan’s inner drive to connect with and help people. Carraghan and her fiancé soon moved to Lansdale, and she took a tour of Montgomery County Community College’s Central Campus in Blue Bell. Carraghan felt the call to continue her education again.

“There was no other option for me,” Carraghan said “The teaching at this school is incredible, and there is nowhere else I would have wanted to go.”

When she started at Montco in the fall of 2018, Carraghan only had to take five classes to complete her degree. Carraghan graduated in May 2019 with an associate degree in Psychology. Carraghan chose this major because she enjoys connecting with people. She describes being a bartender as “a type of counselor” and remarks that she is always ready to give tough love if the situation calls for it.

Carraghan has enjoyed the chance to get know her fellow students and become a part of the campus community. She acknowledges Dr. Steven Baron, associate professor in the Psychology Department, as one of her favorite things about attending Montco. Carraghan especially connected with Dr. Baron’s maxim that “you are either part of the problem or part of the solution.” Carraghan promises that she will “never forget that philosophy.”

Carraghan is not sure what the future holds beyond graduation and marriage, but she wants to continue building connections with people.

There’s plenty of people out there that have amazing stories, Carraghan said. I don’t feel I’m special in any way, but if I can reach one person or help them in anyway, I consider that a success.