From Dreams to Reality: An Alumni’s Journey

Kathy’s story may not be unique, but it all began at Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC), where she started her journey toward a fulfilling career that she truly loves.

In 1975, Kathy Zimmerman enrolled at MHCC with aspirations of pursuing a degree in Funeral Services. Although soft affirmative action policies made this goal attainable, she struggled to secure an internship in an industry where women were a rarity. At that time, the landscape was dominated by family-owned businesses, and she was often told that unless she married into it or came from a family with a funeral home, her job prospects would be limited. Undeterred, she enrolled in general studies for a year. During that time, she worked in Funeral Services through a college work-study program and also found joy in a position with Television Services.

Fast forward 17 years: Kathy was married with three children and working in banking when a transformative moment arrived. In a class that posed the "miracle question"—"If you could do anything you want, regardless of time, money, or education, what would you do?"—she was struck by how deeply this question resonated with her. It became clear that her true passion wasn’t just about death and dying, but rather about the myriad experiences in life that lead to grief: the loss of a loved one, the end of a dream, declining health, or a broken relationship. She realized that it is the complexities of life—the what is, what was, and what wasn’t—that often bring people into her office.

With this newfound understanding, Kathy recognized her dream: to help people navigate the grieving process. This realization spurred her desire to return to school and become a licensed professional counselor. She re-enrolled at MHCC, completed her associate degree, and then transferred to Warner Pacific College for her Bachelor of Science. Her journey continued at George Fox University, where she earned her master’s in licensed professional counseling.

Today, Kathy is proud to have her own private practice, doing what she loves every day at Family to Family Counseling Services. While there’s much more to her story, the essence remains clear: MHCC was the foundation of her path, and she is forever grateful for the support and opportunities it provided.

Her hope is to inspire others to pursue their dreams, no matter how unconventional the path may seem. After all, their journey might start at MHCC, too!

Find out more info about Kathy's private practice by visiting Family to Family Counseling Services.