MARIETTA, OHIO — For Bianca Bangsil, returning to college meant more than continuing her education. It meant giving herself another opportunity to pursue her goals and find a path that felt right. Now enrolled in Washington State College of Ohio’s (WSCO) Radiologic Technology program, Bangsil is building a future in healthcare while embracing a second chance at education.
After leaving the college she previously attended in the Philippines, Bangsil says returning to school at WSCO has helped her feel like she is on the right track and grow more confident. She was inspired to enter the healthcare field by her mother’s nursing career. Bangsil is passionate about helping others so she began to explore the field of radiology. She had always been fascinated by X-rays and when she discovered WSCO offered the program it was a natural fit for her interests and goals.
Throughout the program, Bangsil has already gained significant experience in the healthcare field through her work as a tech assistant with Memorial Health System in Belpre, Ohio. In her role, she works alongside technologists and assists them with their daily responsibilities, giving her an opportunity to learn more about the profession outside of the classroom. After graduating from the Radiologic Technology program, Bangsil hopes to continue expanding her skills by learning more about CT scans and eventually pursuing opportunities in nuclear medicine.
For Bangsil, WSCO’s program has been one of the best experiences because she was able to find the right program in an environment where she felt welcomed and supported. “Throughout my time here, everyone has been so welcoming and inviting. My professors and classmates have created a true sense of community,” said Bangsil.
That sense of community has become an important part of her experience. Bangsil says she enjoys her classes, appreciates her professors, and especially values the relationships she has built with her classmates. “Compared to my first-time attending college, WSCO has been a night and day experience, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet the people in my classes and at my clinical sites,” said Bangsil.
The support she has received from the WSCO community has also been especially meaningful as she celebrated another significant milestone earlier this year: becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. It is a moment she says she will forever remember fondly and one made even more meaningful by the encouragement she received throughout her journey. “Everyone here has been so supportive,” she said.
Radiologic Technology instructor Aimee Phillips describes Bangsil as a hardworking student who asks thoughtful questions and is not afraid to seek help when she needs it. “Bianca is truly dedicated to the radiology program,” Phillips said. “She works hard in class and always asks great questions.”
Phillips also highlights Bangsil’s creativity and willingness to help others. “Bianca is a talented artist with strong technology skills. She often creates study tools for herself and her classmates to help make learning complex material more engaging,” Phillips said.
For Bangsil, returning to college has been about more than earning a degree. It has been an opportunity to believe in herself, pursue a career she is passionate about, and create a future she can be proud of. Her desire to make herself and her parents proud keeps her motivated to complete her degree, and her journey has given her a renewed sense of purpose. She is excited to see where her education can take her. Her advice to anyone considering college or thinking about returning to school is simple: “It’s never too late to start, and you’re never too old to pursue your education.”
Bangsil’s story is one of new beginnings and the courage to give yourself another chance. Through WSCO’s Radiologic Technology program, she is not only working toward a career in healthcare but also proving that taking a different path can lead you exactly where you are meant to be.
