<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/news/2025/commencement-spotlight-Belline-Semanyo.aspx" dsn="blogs"><featured>true</featured><pubDate>12/12/2025 11:57:21 AM</pubDate><title>Belline Semanyo Keeps it Moving - From GED to Degree  </title><description>Togo native Belline Semanyo had a goal and found a way to reach it at Lawson State. She moved from West Africa to Birmingham, learned English, enrolled in a GED program at Lawson, and upon completion, immediately started her degree studies in nursing.</description><author/><image><img src="https://www.lawsonstate.edu/_resources/assets/img/News/belline-semanyo-3.webp" alt="Belline Semanyo wearing lawson gown "/></image></item>