We are always excited to welcome incoming honors students at our Honors College orientation. The orientation event takes place over a series of days during Camp Crimson. This year was no different and although our halls welcomed numerous impressive students, one stood out immediately for his academic achievements and extraordinary story.
Juan Dills is a transfer student from Rose State College, where he earned an Associate's degree. He is entering OU this fall as a junior majoring in Social Work.
The Oklahoma City native's road to college has been a long one, and Juan speaks only about the challenges and struggles he faced. Juan grew up mostly in foster care without a solid support network. He made a mistake as a teenager that landed him in prison, where he earned his GED. After release, he became a skilled metalworker and moved to the west coast, but also struggled with substance abuse. It wasn't until a few years ago that Juan decided to pursue a college degree in Social Work after a transformative encounter with a social worker who helped him turn his life around.
Juan has been working nonstop ever since. At Rose State he was quick to connect with faculty who mentored him throughout his two years. He became a top student by maintaining high grades, participating in research, and serving on several campus and community organizations such as The Substance Abuse Coalition, The Honors Society, and City Care. He was also a Cub Scout leader and coached his kid's soccer league. This all led him to be named to the 2023 All-USA National Academic Team, one of twenty students in the nation who received a $5000 scholarship in conjunction with the award. This recognition is awarded to students pursuing Associate's degrees who excel in academics. leadership, and service.
Juan knew he wanted to be a social worker so that he could help others, but it wasn't until a recruitment visit at Rose State College from OU's Social Work department that he realized he could apply to the Social Work program at the University of Oklahoma. Becoming an OU student was the obvious next step, especially given the fact that the University of Oklahoma is the only university in the state to offer an accredited Social Work program. Due to his history of incarceration, Juan's application process was more complicated than most and included a vast collection of letters of recommendation. Juan submitted more than enough letters that vouched for him turning his life around.
Today Juan is starting his next chapter in his academic journey as a Social Work student at OU. When asked about his experience, he gushed about the Social Work program and said, "Everyone has been extremely welcoming, and the faculty are all great. College can be intimidating and there can be a stark difference between professors and students. At OU it is very equal and open, which is promising when it comes to asking for help and building mentorship connections with them."
One of the secrets to Juan's success can be attributed to the connections that he made with professors along the way. Finding the right mentor can lead a student to research, leadership, and academic opportunities that are essential in melding a student into a well-rounded, successful individual. Moral support is also essential, especially for students who are the first in their families to navigate the university environment.
Juan's advice to anyone pursuing a mentor or a more in-depth connection with campus faculty and leaders is "to not be afraid to ask for help because at the end of the day, it's all about communication, and I haven't met a professor that when asked for help, they weren't willing to give it."
Aside from being a part of the Social Work program, Juan has joined the Honors College. He heard about the Honors College orientation during Camp Crimson, an eight-day long camp with the purpose of welcoming first-year OU students to campus. He decided to join the orientation to learn more about the college and was instantly intrigued by the opportunities available.
Juan's plans for the future include pursuing a Master's degree in Social Work, becoming a licensed clinical social worker, and ultimately establishing his own nonprofit organization focused on helping felons reintegrate into society by teaching them a trade or facilitating an education and a job afterward.
We are impressed with Juan's accomplishments and his desire to share his experiences and help others. We are happy to have him in the Honors College and are eager to see what he does next.
