Amanda Kissinger

A Different Kind of Perspective on College

Puyallup resident Amanda Kissinger speaks from experience when she says, “I think adult students deserve way more credit than they give themselves.”

The 35-year-old Highline College student is pursuing an Associate in Arts Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) and an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Substance Use Disorders.

She said her favorite thing about studying at Highline is the reminder that there is no single timeline for building a meaningful life. “Some students are starting over. Some are healing. Some are changing careers, raising families, surviving burnout, or rediscovering confidence in themselves after years away from school.” She said it takes resilience to balance everything all at once while still showing up for class.

Kissinger, who moved to Washington state from Florida in 2020, advises anyone who’s thinking about college to avoid putting it off even if the timing doesn’t feel completely right. It’s advice she gave herself as responsibilities and commitments were mounting and she realized that “maybe someday” could turn into years without her even noticing it.

“Coming back to school felt a little like reconnecting with a version of myself I had not seen in a long time. I forgot how much I genuinely enjoy learning, asking questions, and feeling accomplished when I write that ‘A’ paper. It reminded me that curiosity is still one of the strongest parts of who I am, and I'm grateful for that,” Kissinger said.

Kissinger added that she chose to study substance use disorders partly because of growing up around her father’s struggles with substances and that this field found her long before she had the courage to choose it for herself.

She acknowledged Professor Letha Fernandez for helping her excel, and her rare ability to make people feel “both deeply supported and deeply challenged at the same time.” She said Fernandez leads with compassion, but also pushes students to think harder, care more intentionally, and stop hiding from their own potential.

“Her belief in her students is infectious. She has this fiery, passionate way of engaging with people that immediately captures your attention, but more importantly, she makes you believe in yourself. She sees potential in people before they fully know how to see it in themselves yet,” Kissinger said.

Outside of her studies, Kissinger is a substance use disorder counselor who works with high school students and adults in residential settings. She anticipates graduating from Highline in spring 2027 and plans to transfer into the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program at the University of Washington while continuing to work in her field to gain experience.