Timothy Woodiwiss left high school at 16 to work at McDonald's. He joined the National Guard at 18 to help in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. Through multiple career and family changes, he always kept college in the back of his mind. 

Big Bend Community College became his launchpad to attend Washington State University, where he graduated with high honors. Now Woodiwiss is a first-year student in the University of Washington School of Medicine.