Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XIV, Issue II Fall 2020 | Page 14

GRADUATING DEBT-
FREE FROM PHSC A
REALITY FOR MANY
By Rao Musunuru, M.D.
A
college degree is often
considered the foundation
of a successful career. Now,
attaining academic credentials
without the burden of debt is more
important than ever. The Coronavirus
is a thief that has robbed us all,
including graduating high school
seniors who watched time-honored
teen traditions – proms, graduation
ceremonies, movies and parties slip
away. College plans, too, may now
hang in the balance as financially
strapped parents anxiously monitor
COVID-19 statistics.
As traditional classrooms transitioned
to virtual platforms this spring,
students adjusted and came to
terms with virtual commencement
ceremonies. Yet most agree that
online-only college courses stray far
from the vision of the ideal college
experience. Regardless, there is
no better time than now to pursue
college credentials or workforce
training. Flash forward to when
COVID-19 is controlled. Educated,
skilled graduates will secure better
paying positions as the economy
recovers. Those with a degree or
workforce credentials in hand will
be ready to answer the door when
opportunity knocks.
Dr. Musunuru and scholarship recipient Jessy
Certain after the dedication of Rao Musunuru,
M.D. Conference Center at PHSC’s Spring Hill
Campus. Dr. Musunuru has served as on the
District Board of Trustees at PHSC since 1999.
Dr. Rao and Prameela Musunuru are
among the PHSC Foundation’s most
generous benefactors.
Debt-free college may seem like
a hot topic for political debates,
when, indeed, graduating with a
clean financial slate is a refreshing
reality for thousands of students —
12 PHSC