When Destinee Bahr first enrolled at Kirkwood Community College in 2014, she was 17 years old, working full time and raising a two-year-old son. After nearly two semesters, she made the difficult decision to step away.
More than a decade later, Destinee returned to Kirkwood. Recently, the 29-year-old biology major earned national recognition as a recipient of Phi Theta Kappa’s 2026 Hites Transfer Scholarship, the organization’s most prestigious scholarship.
The Hites Transfer Scholarship recognizes outstanding academic achievement, leadership and engagement in college and community activities among Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members preparing to transfer to four-year institutions. Scholars are selected for their academic rigor, campus involvement and demonstrated leadership as they pursue a bachelor’s degree.
As a Hites Scholar, Destinee will receive a $7,500 scholarship.
Destinee returned to Kirkwood in the fall of 2024 while on medical hold for enlistment in the United States Air Force, where she still hopes to serve. Since coming back, she has excelled in the classroom, earning a 4.0 GPA in her first semester and maintaining a near-perfect GPA overall. She has consistently been named to the Dean’s List.
Her academic success led to an invitation to join PTK, the only internationally-recognized honor society for students attending two-year colleges. At Kirkwood, the organization serves as a community for high-achieving students committed to scholarship, leadership and service. Members engage in service projects, leadership development, honors research and networking opportunities while building connections with like-minded peers.
Destinee currently serves as secretary of Kirkwood’s PTK chapter. She balances that leadership role while working full-time and raising her now 14-year-old son.
Her son is one of the main reasons she chose to return to college.
“I put my education on hold to help him grow up,” she said. “I wanted to show him that it’s never too late to go after your goals.”
In addition to the Hites Scholarship, Destinee received the Dr. Adam James Pre-Medical Student Scholarship. This scholarship provides financial support for PTK members who intend to enroll in medical school and become physicians. Destinee received the maximum $1,500 awarded for this scholarship.
Destinee’s final semester at Kirkwood is funded by the Henry B. Tippie Kirkwood Endowed Scholarship. She expects to graduate in May 2026.
While she has not yet decided which four-year institution she will attend, Destinee plans to continue studying biology and pursue a career in healthcare. She is still exploring which specific path within the field she wants to follow.
For others who may be considering returning to school, especially nontraditional students balancing work and family responsibilities, Destinee offers simple but powerful advice:
“Take that first step. You’re never too old to go back and do what you want to do.”