Emerging Stronger Than Ever

Christina Hope shares her story of surviving extraordinary hardships, seeing past barriers, and achieving her goals.

“I have a lot of faith and to be honest if I didn’t have faith I probably wouldn’t be here. I try to just live in the moment and be grateful I have another day.”

Persistence: (as defined by The Oxford Dictionary) maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired; persistently continuing; persistent; resolute; perseveringly firm; obstinate, stubborn, pertinacious.

Then there’s Hope. Christina Hope, to be exact. When she walked across the stage at the 2024 UW-Green Bay winter commencement ceremony with a degree in Organizational Leadership, she achieved her goal while facing challenges far beyond academic. Her relentlessly positive spirit brought her through trials most mortals would never survive, in a life that was anything but forgiving.

Hope’s story began in California, as the daughter to what she describes as wealthy and very strict parents. After graduating high school in 2000, Hope faced a new reality without her parents’ support. “My parents were very strict and felt that when I graduated high school at 17, that was the end of their support in every way, including any possibility of helping me through college. My father could have paid for all four years in less than one month of his salary.”

Undaunted, Hope persevered. “My work ethic only grew as I worked full-time as a hotel manager on a second shift and went to college at ASU West as an adjunct student of GCC (Glendale Community College) in the mornings.” Effectively balancing work and studies, Hope’s determination was unwavering until an unexpected event changed her course. A terrible car accident forced her to drop out of college to work full-time to pay for a new car.

Despite these setbacks, Hope’s journey took another turn when she met someone who would significantly impact her life.  She met a man at age 19 and was married at 20. “It was a deceptive marriage as we moved over 70 times through four states as he bought and sold drugs, unbeknown to me.” She became pregnant with twins at 21 and was placed on bedrest. “I lost one of our twins and we became homeless and lived in our car during the last month of my high-risk pregnancy due to my husband not keeping a job and evading drug dealers.”

After the birth of her first daughter and her contentious divorce in 2005, she started a new life as a single Mom back in Arizona, working and caring for her baby girl.

A second marriage in 2008 brought her to Wisconsin. “I became pregnant with another daughter six months after getting married and was again at high-risk and could not work,” said Hope. She welcomed her second daughter, and shortly thereafter, experienced another divorce.  “I was able to find work at a daycare where I could nurse my daughter and got a small apartment for my girls and me.”

She continued to work full-time, sometimes even working a second job at night or on weekends cleaning houses for friends. Her tenacity was put to the test once again when in January of 2010, she sustained a traumatic brain injury while at work and lost her job and apartment. “I got back on my feet with the help from my church at the time and found a new job and new place,” Hope recalls.  “I continued working and seeking out better opportunities only to be told ‘you don’t have the degree even though you may have the experience.’  It was devastating but I was home every night for my girls.”

Just as life seemed to stabilize, more challenges tested her physical and mental resolve. In 2017 Hope broke her back/sacrum after slipping on uneven cellar stairs.  Her injuries led to health issues that will last a lifetime, including the loss of bladder function as well as major bowel and leg issues.  Despite it all, she continued working full time, but then her position was eliminated.

After 15 years, two marriages, two high risk pregnancies and countless moves, Hope was all but lost. Her health took a severe hit, leading to more complications. “I was working at a new full-time job (in healthcare/finance) and continuing the legal battles with my ex-husband while trying to protect my children and get them the help and healing they needed.  In spring of 2018, I developed a cancerous tumor in my uterus, leading to devastating health side effects and eventually an ileostomy.”

“I was at my lowest,” she recalled. “I went back to work after about three months but was praying every day that I would die.  I am a person of strong faith and conviction but even after domestic abuse, assault, homelessness, destitution, hunger, divorce, and feeling completely isolated, this felt worse.  The grief was palpable (still is at times) and I knew my life would never be the same.”

Yet Hope persisted.

Determined to find a balance, Hope sought new opportunities that aligned with her goals. The dream of a college degree was still there. During her time working as a financial advocate in the emergency room at Aurora Healthcare, she discovered that having additional leadership skills would  make a difference, and earning her degree would achieve that.

“I thought ok, I’m in the non-healthcare side of healthcare and I really like it and there was a lot of opportunity for different positions within the business side of Aurora and I thought  this would be a great pathway.”  Then 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic happened. Working in healthcare, she felt herself burning out and needed to take a break from healthcare. But she did not give up her leadership pursuit.

In January of 2023, Hope started as a customer service rep for a promotional product company in the Oshkosh area. She started researching the best options that allowed her to work fulltime and as a non-traditional student, from an institution that would account for and appreciate her prior work experience.

With a clearer vision for her future, Hope took the next step in her educational journey. “I really did do my research. I just felt like Green Bay was a really good fit.” The cost of the program met her budget as a full-time employed single mom, and she liked the way the bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership program was set-up compared to other programs she had found.  Once she made the call to enroll, she experienced the dedicated support she needed.   “When I enrolled [in 2021], and I had all these great experiences…I know I made the right decision.”

“I like the flexibility… this wasn’t an option 20 years ago. I wouldn’t be able to finish college if it wasn’t for this platform.” The flexibility, the relatively short distance from her home and the fact that  “…they’re reputable university with a lot of support,” have allowed her to pursue her degree. Even if it’s not always easy.  “I mean, I’m a tenacious person anyway, but I feel like I have to really manage my time to make school a priority because when I’ve worked all day and then I have my daughter, yeah it’s hard.” It’s almost as if the challenges of her life to this point had prepared her for this moment to be a role model for her daughter. “There’s times that we’re both just doing homework…or even where I’ve sacrificed things on the weekends because I had homework that didn’t get done during the week because my daughter had a school commitment or an appointment.”

Hope continues to persevere and move relentlessly forward. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from UW-Green Bay in December of 2024. She continues to manage and has embraced her lifelong health issues, supporting her fellow ostomates on social media (@life.takes.guts.7) and in-person when she has time.

“I am thankful to live in Oshkosh in a safe and peaceful home, work at a job I currently enjoy (fully remote), savor the last few years with my daughter while she finishes high school, and even be able to help other people in my community who have become ostomates,” says Hope. “I am encouraged that my life has purpose even through the pain. I try to turn my stress into strength and my survival into revival!”

How has education ignited your growth?

My education has ignited my growth in so many ways, especially being an older student and understanding that learning is a life-long process.  I am more in tune with what I am passionate about and having an education is something that no one can take from me, and I never take that for granted.

How has your education challenged your perspective or changed your world-view?

My education has challenged my perspective in many ways by hearing from others, whether they are peers or not.  I have seen and heard some of the struggles of the younger generation and become more understanding of my own generation as well as those that have gone before me.  There are so many ways to do something well and right.  When we embrace our differences and celebrate them, that is when we all succeed.  Empowered people empower people.

What advice would you offer future non-traditional students who are considering becoming a Phoenix?

Take one day at a time.  This is not a race, but a journey!  Even when it feels like you can’t do it or can’t find the balance, you can!  You have to dig deep to be a non-traditional student because there is so much more accountability to yourself and discipline to your courses than traditional students may have.  I would encourage you to recognize the challenges and ask for help when needed and make sure you have an understanding support system.  If you do not, you have support at UWGB with your classmates and professors.  You are never alone!

What are your future plans once you’re completed your degree?

I honestly have no idea right now!  My best laid plans have always been altered for reasons generally out of my control, but I am confident that doors will open that were otherwise closed.  I hope to be able to use my degree in the field that I have chosen because women leaders are vital in the workforce.

How are you using your power to rise?

I am using my power to rise from the literal ashes of my life because I have seen that tenacity and perseverance truly pay off.  I want to continue to rise above what my past has dealt me and look forward to the future coming through the fire stronger and more beautiful than before.  I always think of Kintsugi or Kintsukuroi which are Japanese words for “golden joinery” or “golden repair.”  When something has been broken but then is repaired with gold, silver or platinum.  There is not effort to hide the damage but rather illuminate it.  We have all been broken in some way or in many ways, but when we recognize our own weaknesses, only then can we begin to gain strength and help others as well to rise!

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I am very grateful to be able to complete my education as a Phoenix and realize so many do not get this opportunity.  I also really pride myself on not being disabled but having different abilities.  There are wave sets in life and when we learn to ADAPT (from Bethany Hamilton): Appreciate (show gratitude in all circumstances), Direction (know where we are headed), Associate (surround ourselves with the right people), Persevere (through it all), Teachable (be teachable and willing to learn and grow), then anything is possible!

At UW-Green Bay, every person has the power to Rise. No matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you want to be. We invite you to read more Rise Stories about people from all walks of life who are blazing a brighter future for our region.