Walner Homere’s educational beginnings were humble. Originally from Haiti, Homere was left with limited options for higher education after scoring a 670 on his SAT. After applying to Eastern Connecticut State University in the early 1990s, however, he was invited to participate in the University’s alternative admissions program known as STEP/CAP — Summer Transition at Eastern Program/Contract Admissions Program.

“Eastern took a chance on me and here we are,” said Homere, who graduated from Eastern in 1995 with a degree in sociology. Nearly 30 years later, Homere, an IT forensics specialist at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Enforcement Division, was recognized for his achievements at the White House’s Haitian Diaspora Celebration on Nov. 15.

Tailored for motivated students who may need extra academic support, STEP/CAP is a residential summer program that helps prepare students for college prior to their first semester. Homere is so proud of his experience in STEP/CAP that he brought a 1994 STEP/CAP t-shirt to the White House with him, displaying it in various locations.

“That’s where I came from,” said Homere of  the program. “I am who I am to a high degree due to my experience in STEP/CAP.”

When reflecting on his experience with the SAT and his ensuing academic and professional success, Homere realizes that a low SAT score doesn’t make for a low-achieving student. “Those tests cannot gauge human desire,” he said.

STEP/CAP, meanwhile, was like “academic military boot camp,” said Homere.

Homere advises young adults with specific career interests to get experience in those fields early in college. He initially wanted to go to law school but changed his mind after an internship while in graduate school at The Ohio State University.

“I worked at a juvenile court,” he said. “Oh my gosh, I hated it. … The way you find out if you like something or not is to actually go in and do it.” After a chance encounter with a software engineer who had just started a school, Homere’s career in computers began.

Despite his career change, Homere’s purpose never changed. “I always thought my purpose was to help others,” he said. “I wanted to work with young people.” Even during stints with large companies like Deloitte, Dell, Ernst & Young and now in his position with the SEC, Homere has not strayed from his calling.

“Lo and behold, for the past eight years, I've been running a mentoring program for underprivileged communities where I teach financial empowerment and career selection,” said Homere. “I motivate them because with a story like mine, I can relate.”

These experiences give way to words Homere lives by: “Your purpose, you write in pen. Your path, you write in pencil.”

When visiting the White House, Homere took a photograph of his STEP/CAP t-shirt placed over a chair in front of the White House emblem to remind students that “you belong here too.”

He continued: “You belong here too, because if you put forth the effort, if you put forth the hard work, if you're willing to do whatever it takes to get there, you’re going to get there because the people that are sitting in those positions are human just like us.”

Homere emphasizes the human elements of the journey to success, including the need for an impactful mentor. Recalling the computer engineers he learned the trade from, Homere said, “For you to reach the next level, you will have to actually band together with someone who's been ahead of that.”

A continuing part of Homere’s journey, and something he recommends to young people, is to not let negative thoughts extinguish desire. “Quite often, the biggest enemy is the inner ‘me,’” he said.