From Overlooked to Empowered: Southeast Kentucky Graduate Turns Personal Barriers into a Mission to Help Others

Andrew Meade spent much of his life feeling overlooked. Born with hearing loss and raised in a world that did not always provide the access or understanding he needed, college once seemed out of reach. But as a husband and father, Meade wanted his children to see that circumstances do not have to define a person’s future. That determination led him to Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, and to a degree, a place to belong and a new purpose.

“Your disability is not a struggle; it’s a superpower,” Meade said. “You just need to know how and when to use it. Don’t let your disability stop you from what you believe in.”

Meade’s journey reflects the mission of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System: meeting students where they are, removing barriers and helping them build pathways to meaningful futures.

A graduate of the Kentucky School for the Deaf, Meade had often felt that his needs and experiences were not fully understood. A life-threatening medical emergency made those barriers impossible to ignore when communication challenges delayed critical care while providers searched for an interpreter.

Instead of allowing that experience to discourage him, Meade turned it into motivation. He began imagining a future in which he could help bridge the gap between the deaf and hard-of-hearing community and the hearing world — particularly in health care, where clear communication can save lives.

“That experience didn’t discourage him; it gave him purpose,” said Dr. Lee Harrison, chancellor of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College. “Drew has faced barriers throughout his life, but he has chosen to use those experiences to create change for others.”

At Southeast, Meade found the guidance and support he needed to navigate college and move toward a dream he had carried since childhood. Staff members helped connect him with resources, answer questions and make the college experience feel possible.

“Andrew’s journey has been inspiring,” said Crystal McFall, admissions coordinator at Southeast. “He brings warmth, humor and determination everywhere he goes. His passion for building awareness around sign language and the deaf community has the potential to make a real difference.”

The journey required sacrifice. Meade balanced coursework with the responsibilities of family life, often studying while his family ate dinner, attended events or went about their evening routines. His wife, Tessa Roaden, watched his confidence grow with every challenge he overcame.

“Drew sacrificed a great deal of time with family and friends,” Roaden said. “There were times he had to eat alone or miss activities because he was focused on his coursework. Even when he couldn’t always be there physically, we knew he was working toward something important, and we knew it would be worth the sacrifice.”

For Meade, the example he was setting for his children made every late night and difficult assignment worthwhile.

“I wanted to show them that if I can do it, they can, too,” he said. “My biggest struggles have been getting the respect I want and not having the access I need. Southeast and staff like Crystal helped me pursue my educational goals by connecting me to the right people when I was lost or confused. I wouldn’t be this far without their support. What kept me going was the encouragement to believe I could when the world told me I couldn’t.”

Meade recently earned his associate degree — an achievement he once struggled to imagine for himself. This fall, he plans to transfer to the University of Kentucky through a KCTCS transfer pathway designed to help students move smoothly into a bachelor’s degree program.

His goal is bigger than earning another credential. Meade wants to promote greater awareness and use of American Sign Language in health care and other public settings, helping ensure that deaf and hard-of-hearing people are understood, respected and able to access the services they need.

“I want to build a stronger bridge between the deaf and hard-of-hearing world and the hearing world,” Meade said. “I want to help people understand one another, get along better and break down barriers.”

Meade’s story shows the life-changing impact Kentucky’s community colleges can have when students receive affordable access, personalized support and a clear path forward. It also shows the difference one student can make when he transforms the barriers he has faced into a mission to create opportunities for others.

“Andrew’s story shows what can happen when a student is not only admitted to college, but truly seen, supported and empowered to succeed,” said Dr. Ryan Quarles, KCTCS president. “His determination is inspiring, and his desire to use his education to help others represents the very best of our students and our community colleges.”