Reuben Payte

Growing up, Reuben Payte was never really pushed toward higher education. His father was a hard working man, and he and his brothers were to follow his example. They always had support behind their decisions, but he never had much motivation. Reuben always had a desire to go back to school; however, opportunity simply eluded him. Reuben got married about two years after he graduated from high school and continued working at the same hard labor jobs. After 2 years of marriage, Reuben and his wife received the exciting news that they were to have their first child. As most first time parents, they were ecstatic. The pregnancy was going great, but just a few months before his wife gave birth, they had a setback. Reuben was hospitalized and told he was probably hours from death. He had been a Type I diabetic for a year and didn’t know it. That changed their lives dramatically. As a man who had always worked physically demanding jobs, Reuben had no idea what to do to support his family. He wondered who would employ an insulin dependent diabetic at a warehouse or as a landscaper, which was the extent of his job skills. Reuben spent a lot of time contemplating what to do next and how to get his life on a different track than what he had always known.

About four months later, and one month early, Reuben’s little baby boy was born. They were so excited. That too was extinguished when hit with the news that, at just 3 days old, their son would be flown to a children’s hospital for immediate emergency surgery. As a father, Reuben began to realize the importance of medical insurance and job security, two important things that he had never been able to provide for his family. With the new addition to his family, it was like a light piercing the darkness. Reuben found his motivation, to make a better life for his family.

A couple years later, opportunity was finally there and it was time to make a change. With the full support of his wife, son, and newborn daughter, Reuben was able to move his family back to Hot Springs and enrolled at National Park Community College. Immediately, he felt like a fish out of water. He says, “I had gone to a private Christian school, and was completely overwhelmed with the pressure, the doubts, and the fears that I was facing. I was simply unprepared. Though I had full support from my family, I felt alone.” Reuben found additional support through the student services provided by NPCC, particularly through the TRiO Student Support Services Program. He has participated in every aspect of the program including the tutoring provided in math and science courses.

Reuben has found his footing at NPCC. Currently, he maintains a 3.91 GPA which has allowed him to reside on the President’s List. He was also inducted into the AR TRiO Hall of Fame, and is the 2008-2009 Academic All-Star. In addition to his academic excellence, Reuben is a valued member, not only of SSS, but also President of the Alpha Beta Psi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and member of Career Pathways. He has been accepted into the 2008 Registered Nursing Program and is truly dedicated to his goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. Reuben plans on continuing his education until obtaining a Master of Science Degree.