Meet Shantel Hampton

It’s time to get to know one of our amazing Financial Aid Advisors.  In this interview you will get to know the ever energetic, hates the word no, always finds away, none other than the Shantel Hampton. (And the crowd goes wild)

Jacob:  How long have you been with ATA?

Shantel:  It will be 7 months in February!

Jacob:  What are some of your hobbies?

Shantel:  Cooking (I’m getting better everyday!), Singing, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and I’m a HUGE NBA Basketball fan.

Jacob:  What does ATA mean to you?

Shantel:  ATA provides students with life-changing career opportunities, faculty and staff that genuinely care, and experiences they will cherish for a life-time.

Jacob:  What do you love about your job?

Shantel:  I often meet with students that break down crying in my office because they got accepted into the program of their dreams, and their financial aid is taken care of. These students cry because they never thought it was possible for them to go back to school. It makes me so happy just knowing that I’m apart of making that happen. Sometimes you have to sit back and think, wow, we’re really changing people’s lives here.

 And, of course, I work with the most awesome Financial Aid and Admissions team on the planet!

Jacob:  What does education mean to you?

Shantel:  Education is the key to the door of opportunity. Once you graduate from college, no one can take that away from you. No matter what you do or where you go in life, it will always be there for you to fall back on, or for you to use as a step ladder to help you climb to the next level of whatever profession you choose. “Learn well, Live well”

Jacob:  How has education changed your life?

Shantel:  Most people don’t know that I am the oldest girl out of seven children. With that came a lot of responsibility. On May 9, 2009, I was very proud to become the first in my entire family to graduate from a four-year university. I know my education will provide me with a better life, but my family is really what gave me the motivation to work hard all those years. I know they all look up to me as an example for their lives.  If I can do it, they can do it.

Jacob:  If you had a superhero power which one would it be and why?

Shantel:  I would want the superhero power to teleport (like the movie Jumper, without the bad guys). Never have to worry about traffic, see all of the wonders of the world, and I could go home to Detroit whenever I wanted to.

Jacob:  What is your favorite quote/motto you live by?

Shantel:  “At first dreams seem impossible, then improbable, then inevitable.” -Christopher Reeve

Jacob:  What is the coolest thing you have ever done?

Shantel:  Audition for American Idol in 2008. I made it past 3 auditions, all the way to Simon, Paula, and Randy.

Jacob:  Where is the coolest place you have ever been?

Shantel:  Niagara Falls.

Jacob:  What do you like most about Louisville?

Shantel:  The winter weather, not counting the past few days. Winter weather is way more brutal in Detroit than it is here…I feel like I’m being spoiled.

Thank you for your time for this interview Shantel!  ATA appreciates your hard work and dedication towards helping make a difference in our students’ lives.  And to the students, if you ever have a financial aid question or just want to thank Shantel for her help stop by, her door is always open.

“LEARN WELL. LIVE WELL.”

* Keep posted for a live musical performance from Shantel for our students at ATA.