Cheri Wu may have become a superstar of Camosun College, but she was just a normal student at Camosun 20 years ago.
Wu, who graduated in the dental hygiene program from Camosun in 1992, recently won the college’s 2012 distinguished alumni award.
Wu has become a very successful woman in the dental hygiene field. She has her own practice and helps people with HIV/AIDS, as well as the poor. Wu not only contributes to the community but also to Camosun, as she teaches, mentors, and even hires dental students. Wu is an indispensable bridge between dental students and the workplace.
“Just stick with what you want,” says Wu. “Who would’ve known I would’ve been an alumni winner? I was not a great and shining star at clinic; I was an average student. I just didn’t give up.”
Wu emphasizes that students going after their dreams without giving up is the most important factor of success. Like many students, she faced big challenges when she was in school, but she chose to face them head-on rather than avoid them.
“Instead of saying, ‘I can’t do it, it’s too hard, and why do I have to do that?’ I would think, ‘What is the worst thing that could happen if I try?’” she says.
According to Wu, students shouldn’t always pick an education based on potential income. Instead of passion, some students are driven by what the end result is monetarily; this is not always a good idea and can actually hurt their plans, she says.
And although most colleges are getting more commercial, Wu insists that Camosun is still like a family that always provides help and support.
“My education at Camosun gave me confidence,” she says. “Camosun doesn’t give only education; it teaches confidence and interactions. You are not a number anymore. You are a part of the group.”