Search Contact Us

ECWDB Success Stories

Leadership and Success

Nyquan : Youth Success Story

Nyquan is a 20-year-old student at Carteret Community College who recently enrolled in the WIOA Youth program due to a special receipt of grant money to support in-school students who were nearing the end of their training goals.  Nyquan is in the last two semesters of his Associate’s degree and plans to transfer to East Carolina University to study Communications.  He is the Secretary for Carteret Community College’s Student Government Association and is dedicated to his educational goals and assisting his peers on campus.  Nyquan has received awards through Vocational Rehabilitation and the national Society of Leadership and Success.  Nyquan was also inducted into the English Honor Society in 2019. Nyquan was referred to the WIOA Youth Program to assist him with building his professional skills and assist him with preparing for a career in Communications. Prior to entering the WIOA program, Nyquan had worked in Retail Sales and Custodial services.  Shortly after enrolling in the program, he was matched with a work experience in the Carteret Community College’s Student Services Center.  This work experience will allow him to develop his communication skills by engaging with potential and enrolled students as they navigate the higher education environment. He will be tasked with participating in outreach opportunities to market the college as well as assist in targeting diverse groups of potential students within the County.  Nyquan brings a sense of dedication, professionalism and integrity to his current work experience.  He credits his current involvement with WIOA and his work experience with helping him getting “real world” life experience and work experience to assist him in meeting his career and personal goals.  Nyquan was asked to provide a quote that inspires him and his response was the following quote by Lyndon B. Johnson, "Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose." Nyquan is a role model to his peers and continues to strive for excellence. 

Sherry Garner 

Graduated with Honors

Sherry Garner  : Adult Success Story

Sherry Garner was employed with a local doctor’s office for 29 years.  When the doctor decided to retire and close his practice, Sherry found herself without a job.  She enrolled into an HRD Program in order to enhance her computer skills.  In May 2012, she enrolled in the WIA Dislocated Workers Program in the Biotechnology Program at Lenoir Community College and transferred to Pitt Community College to complete her degree. 

Sherry received her AAS degree in Biotechnology from Pitt Community College.  She graduated with honors on May 12, 2014.  She maintained a 4.0 GPA and was featured in the Career Focus magazine at Pitt Community College in the Spring as a top student in the Biotechnology Program.

Sherry did her internship at Metrics in Greenville.  As a result of her hard work, skills and abilities, she was offered a job upon graduation.  She is employed full-time as a Quality Control Lab Analysis with Metrics, Inc. a pharmaceutical company in Greenville, North Carolina.  She works in the Cleaning Verification Department.

Matthew Sasser

Excelled

Matthew Sasser : Adult Success Story

Matthew Sasser came into the Career Center the summer of 2012 with a letter of acceptance into the Nursing Program at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro, NC.  He was unemployed and had a desire to become a nurse. 

He had taken the prerequisite courses at Wayne Community College on his owe and began the Registered Nursing program in August 2012.  Matthew excelled in his clinicals at the hospital and on May 9, 2014, received his degree in Nursing.  After passing his NCLEX, he became a Registered Nurse.

Matthew now works as a Registered Nurse at Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro, NC and plans to return to UNC-Wilmington in the near future to obtain his Bachelors degree in Nursing.

Jennifer Wilson

From Unemployed to Full-time Position

Jennifer Wilson : Adult Success Story

Jennifer Wilson was unemployed and learned that she might be eligible for assistance with training through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program. With the assistance of the Workforce Investment Act, Jennifer earned her Practical Nursing Diploma in August 2014, from James Sprunt Community College.  

In October 2014, Jennifer accepted employment with Huntington Health Care in Burgaw as a Practical Nurse, where she provides patient care. She works 20 hours every other weekend. Jennifer also accepted employment as a Practical Nurse in December 2014 with Pender Alliance for Teen Health, a School Base Health Center located on the campus of Pender High School in Burgaw.  She provides medical services such as updating shots, sport physicals, labs, and medical care.  She works 40 hours a week.

Akiah Lyons

Received her GED and CNA1 certification

Akiah Lyons : Adult Success Story

Akiah Lyons had not completed high school and was only interested in employment when she stopped in the Career Center to meet with the WIA Career Advisor.   After researching employment opportunities, Akiah decided to enter the Basic Skills Plus program at Craven Community College. The Basic Skills Plus program would allow Akiah to get her GED and Nurse Aide certification all at once.

The WIA program assisted Akiah with transportation, and within a few months she was placed in a work experience at the NCWorks Career Center Craven County, and did volunteer work at the Dowe Agency.

Ms. Lyons received her GED and CNA1 certification and is currently employed as a clerical assistant.  She is planning on returning to school for her CNA2.

Results 55-59 of 59