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Kiara Roberts returned to Chicago State University this fall after the pandemic knocked her studies off track.

Courtesy of Kiara Roberts

"I felt like I won the lottery': From pandemic job loss to a second chance at college

WBEZ this fall is checking in with students and educators to see how they’re adjusting back to school as the pandemic continues.

In this installment we talk to Kiara Roberts, a junior at Chicago State University. She also works as an assistant in a special education classroom in a Chicago public school.

Roberts lost her jobs during the pandemic and didn’t have money to return to college. But she’s back this fall after Chicago State launched a program to wipe away debt owed by juniors and seniors impacted by the pandemic.

Roberts shares her comeback story with WBEZ’s Mary Dixon.

Press listen above to hear the interview.

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