Catching Up With Forman Scholar Emma Boggs!

Forman Scholar Emma Boggs graduated from Drew University this spring with a degree in economics. While Emma has already entered the workforce, supporting PSE&G’s business customer solutions division, she’s also pursuing a master’s degree in finance, which she intends to complete later this year. We recently caught up with Emma to learn more about her college experience and her plans for the future.

For you, what was the biggest difference between high school and college?

It all comes down to the amount of independence you have. In college, it’s truly the responsibility of the student to get the work done. Professors aren’t going to nag you as much as maybe your high school teachers and parents did. It takes a good amount of discipline to stay on top of your work.

How did you overcome any adversity you faced while in college?

I competed on Drew’s swimming and diving team, and this was probably the one activity I was most involved in and passionate about. Toward the middle of college, I tore my ACL twice in one year, and this forced me to sit out two swim seasons. Missing out on those seasons severely damaged my mental health. But I persevered in my recovery, and ultimately, coming back for my senior season made all the struggle worth it. My comeback season was 10 times more rewarding than I could have imagined.

How did the Forman Acton Foundation support you throughout your college journey?

Not only did the Foundation support my academic endeavors financially, but the organization also ensured I always had an advocate. It was sometimes difficult to navigate campus life, especially when it came to certain administrative and logistical tasks. But I always knew I could count on the Foundation’s staff. If ever something was wrong, they were there to back me up and suggest ways for me to resolve whatever challenge I was facing.

What’s one thing you know now that you wished you knew during your first semester?

Even though everyone told me that college would fly by, I had no idea exactly how fast they were talking about. It feels like just yesterday I was stepping onto Drew’s campus as a freshman! That just goes to show how important it is to soak in every day and every experience along the college journey. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing about my experience, but I might have slowed down a bit at times to truly get the most out of the journey.

Why are organizations such as the Foundation so important?

Not only have I been able to obtain my bachelor’s degree debt-free, which few students can say, but I also have scholarship support left over to pursue an additional master’s degree. This assistance has been so transformative in my life, and I recognize that few students have this type of support. The Foundation is committed to doing whatever it can to ensure the students of Salem have the opportunity to pursue the promise of higher education, whether that be through tuition support, support to study abroad (which I was fortunate to also take advantage of) or support transitioning to college life.