Cyndie Hammond understands what it is like to live hand-to-mouth. She knows how scary things can be when the bills outnumber the dollars in the bank account.

"I used to keep a notebook to account for every penny," said Hammond, executive director of Lewis-Clark State Coeur d'Alene. "I used to drive to a different part of town to buy groceries because I didn't want people to know I was on food stamps. We shopped at Goodwill, garage sales, and St. Vincent's. I remember the first time I was able to buy my son new socks. He immediately plopped on the floor and tried on every single pair. I don't think he realized that clothes came packaged. We rode bicycles to new construction sites as our entertainment. It was rough."

Those life experiences forged Hammond's resolve to not only make a better life for herself and her loved ones, but to appreciate the steps toward achievement.

"That experience refined my sensitivity," said Hammond. "I relate to and understand the circumstances of many LC students. Just as I hope for success and happiness for my family, I want our students to be successful. And, when I say our, I'm talking about students attending NIC, LC, UI, BSU and ISU. We're all in this together."

Hammond has served as executive director for the last eight years. Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene's enrollment reached an all-time high of 469 students this fall.

"We're extremely pleased with our enrollment numbers," Hammond said. "However, we believe there is a tremendous opportunity to increase those numbers in the next four years."

And Hammond isn't in her office celebrating, she's sitting at the front desk answering phones when needed or cleaning the kitchen or helping a student navigate the complexities of financial aid - well almost ..."Staff won't let me touch the checks," Hammond said with a laugh.

Hammond, who was a single mom working as a substitute teacher and attending UICDA graduate school has worked to reach her professional goals. She was a special education teacher, an elementary teacher, a grant writer; she is a trained mediator and executive coach. There's a picture in her office of a mouse wearing a helmet in effort to get the cheese out of the trap.

"I believe if something blocks you, you just back up and go at it in a different direction," Hammond said. "Roadblocks just present opportunities for creative thought."

At 54, she earned her doctorate in education - an achievement held by only one other person in North Idaho - Ellen Jaeger was the first.

"It was a sacrifice for the family," she said. "We downsized our home so that I could go back to school. Jim, while very supportive, found me at the computer day and night and once threatened to toss it into the river."

When Jim decided to run for state senate, Cyndie was supportive of the decision.

"I knew he would be gone three months out of the year," she said. "But it was something he wanted to do, and I believe in him. Besides, he acquiesces to my wanderlust and architectural penchant. We've built five homes. He's hoping this is our last."

Cyndie has been married to her husband Jim for 27 years. They have three children, Sean and TJ Hammond and Kurt Selberg. All of her children have a degree of some kind. "Persistence and determination;" she highlighted, "It took some four years and others a wee bit longer. Occasionally, the determination belonged to someone other than the student." Cyndie gushes that she and Jim have four bright, good-looking grandchildren.

"I met Jim while I was working as a substitute teacher," she said, "and married my boss." Jim was working as the principal of the school where Cyndie taught.

"Teachers and staff had been celebrating Jim's victory in the Post Falls Council race. As a substitute desperate for a job, I walked into the room filled with balloons and confetti. I was concerned about the mess and the impending energy level of students - remember, I was living on a sub's inconsistent salary and paying for day-care and grad school. I needed to impress administrators and get a full-time position. Jim's impression of me that I was very serious; he wasn't sure I was going to be a good fit at the school."

Despite that initial impression (he made a mistake), sparks flew and the two were soon dating, Cyndie recalls. Once that happened, East Valley School District in Spokane shuffled them to different schools.

Cyndie Hammond graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in special education. After graduating, Hammond took a teaching job and worked with developmentally disabled preschool children in Wisconsin, then autistic children in Washington, and developmentally delayed middle schoolers in Idaho, and finally, general education in Idaho while attending grad school.

"High school girls were advised to become teachers, bookkeepers or nurses." said Hammond. "My mother was a teacher; my aunt was a teacher. I really didn't know about other options. In my second life, I think I'll be a granite fabricator.... lasers, design, math, beautiful stone."

Many people don't realize Lewis-Clark State College has a presence in North Idaho, what programs does the college have here?

We offer 16 degrees here, including business administration, management, business management with an emphasis on accounting, social work, justice studies, elementary education, general studies, and communication as well as bachelor degrees for professional-technical students.

How does Lewis-Clark State College work with the other schools in Coeur d'Alene?

We're in the business of collaboration (think: IdahoGoes.org) and what's best for students. NIC, LC, UI, BSU and ISU are working together to achieve the same thing - education attainment for people in North Idaho. Many times we suggest a potential student enroll at one of the other schools because we've listened to the student and understand his/her career goals.

What is Lewis-Clark State College's role in higher education here?

Convenience, cost, customer service, and collaboration. We provide quality bachelor degrees at an affordable price, classes are taught by professionals with real-world work place experience, my staff is all about service, and we are committed to collaboration with our sister institutions. This year, the average age of students is 34. That means we're dealing with, primarily, non-traditional students; although, we are also serving direct transfers from community colleges. We serve folks who are working, students who have families, people who want to improve their lives. One of the major for-profit institutions has a massive national marketing campaign on TV and radio. I would tell anyone looking at going back to school that they would be wise to check out the options at Lewis-Clark State College.

What does the future for higher education in North Idaho look like?

It is incredible. The opportunities for students will continue to multiple as the collaboration grows. Students are able earn degrees locally and save dollars. Having said that, IdahoGoes Team (a collaborative group of NIC, LC-CDA and UICDA recruiters) shares information about main campus programs as well as local options. Again, it depends on the career goals of the student. The education corridor is a concept and includes a joint building to serve students. The reality is that we're already collaborating to provide the educational environment that the public expects and, often, demands.

What is Lewis-Clark State College's relationship with the business community?

Thirty-nine percent of our graduates are business majors. The history of Lewis-Clark State College in Coeur d'Alene starts with the business community. The business and management classes were launched here at the request of General Telephone and Electric. That foundation of listening, working and responding to the business community has never changed. Our business programs are tailored to meet the needs of businesses. Our students take regular tours of businesses, and we invite business leaders to speak to our students. We want to be on the cutting edge of business education. Our business department has scene dramatic growth and I would expect that growth to continue.

Talk about being lost at sea aboard the Carnival Ship Splendor last November?

I wore the same clothes for three days; what was the point of changing? Humor became pretty important, and we were witness to the best of people caring for people. We're going to try it again in November.