When Zirabelle Bate first thought about returning to school, she had a lot of questions.
After moving to the United States from Cameroon, Bate developed an autoimmune disease that began affecting her vision. The diagnosis brought frequent doctor appointments, uncertainty and a new reality to navigate. It also delayed her college plans and made the idea of returning to school feel more complicated.
Could she keep up with assignments if her vision changed? Could she navigate campus safely and independently? Could she manage classes, work and everything else life was asking of her? She wondered if she could attend college at all.
But Bate began to see the challenge differently.
“The disability is not here. It’s not my eyes, it’s in my mind. If I set myself up that I’m going to do something, I will be able to do it. I just need to fix my mind.”
That mindset helped her take the next step. She researched nearby colleges, investigated support services, and found AACC.
A business administration student, Bate expects to graduate in spring 2027. She chose business because she has always been drawn to helping people, solving problems and creating change. When she transfers from AACC, Bate is considering healthcare administration, where she could combine her interest in health with her goal of making an impact.
At AACC, Bate has found more than classes. She has found community.
She works as a federal work-study office assistant in the Office of Student Engagement, serves as a student ambassador and completed the Leadership Challenge. Through that program, Bate and her group studied students’ sense of belonging on campus and proposed a peer mentorship program to help new students feel more connected.
The experience earned her an Impact and Excellence Award, but getting there wasn’t always easy.
“There were times when I was like, ‘Can I do this?’” Bate said.
She did. During her first semester, Bate made the dean’s list. She remembers walking across campus before finals and realizing how far she had come.
“I was like, ‘Oh my God, you did it,’” she said. “I almost cried because it was just emotional for me.”
That moment mattered. The student who once wondered whether she could return to school was succeeding in the classroom, building relationships and helping shape the student experience for others.
AACC, she said, helped her find her confidence.
“It’s really helped me find my voice,” Bate said.
Next year, she hopes to help develop a peer mentorship program in support of other students, continue growing as a leader, participate in more college events as a student ambassador and use Disability Support Services as another step in advocating for herself.
For Bate, community college is not just a stop along the way. It is a place to grow into yourself, get involved and make an impact. Today, the student who once wondered if she could find her way on campus is helping other students find theirs.
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