Career in Overdrive
When the pandemic challenged his ambitions, a student found new direction in automotive technology As a child growing up in Santa Maria, CA, Ricky Bahena ...
Read moreNo Age Limit
A 70-year-old retiree finds satisfaction in her GED studies Maria Bernarda De Leon always wanted get an education, but growing up in a low-income family ...
Read moreA Safe Space for All
Regardless of education or immigration status, Allan Hancock College’s noncredit community education counselors guide students toward new opportunities They come from different countries and backgrounds—all ...
Read moreComing Full Circle
From the field to the college campus, Alicia Paniagua has learned the importance of community education As a child, Alicia Paniagua remembers picking strawberries as ...
Read moreLeading by Example
A mother earns her high school diploma to set an example for her son When her 14-year-old son struggled to find motivation in his freshman ...
Read moreFrom Start to Finish
After a few false starts, a mother finally earns her high school diploma After a life of being an eager starter and not too great ...
Read moreSuccess in Translation
An ESL student strives to complete her education and find fulfilling career options Maria Melgoza still remembers the butterflies in her stomach during her first ...
Read moreAn Educational Balance
Paraeducator draws on years of experience to offer students academic excellence and flexibility Krista Caniano had years of experience, both as a paraeducator and in ...
Read moreAn Educational Mission
A former K-12 educator finds gratification in adult community education After 23 years wrangling kids as an administrator in the Lompoc Unified School District, Schel ...
Read moreSound Counsel
Guidance and support make all the difference for adult learners As the daughter of Spanish-speaking migrant workers who didn’t have a strong educational background, Veronica ...
Read moreStart Your Engines
Light duty automotive course helps adult students learn general vehicle maintenance, move towards a career in auto mechanics Vincent Vega was working on earning his ...
Read moreSpeaking With Confidence
ESL class leads student to pursue dream job in nursing After graduating in 2017, Elba Irene Blanco was just starting a career in international business. ...
Read moreSupport for Success
GED program opens new doors for Mt. San Jacinto adult learners Gerardo Sanchez dropped out of high school more than 30 years ago. Though he ...
Read moreA Map of a New World
With guidance, a Spanish speaker charts new opportunities in the U.S. In 2019, Maria Escobedo and her two children finally reunited with her husband and ...
Read moreA Helping Hand
A single mother’s educational goals forge a path to community service Krystal Ybarra wanted to pursue a career in service to others. Whether that meant ...
Read moreOn the Fast Track
For one young student, an affordable, year-long pharmacy technician program quickly leads to a job If you ask Arlene Hernandez what she wishes she had ...
Read moreInto the Light
A pharmacy technician graduate trades the late shift for a family-friendly schedule Is it always darkest before the dawn? Perhaps—but Maria Villanueva knows the dawn ...
Read more‘The Potential was Always There’
A degree takes a high school dropout from dead-end jobs to the police force After not finishing high school and working minimum-wage jobs that lacked ...
Read moreA New Confidence
A bilingual speaker hones her talents to find new educational and career options When Lisbet Vera first walked through the doors of Fontana Adult School ...
Read more‘A Rollercoaster of Emotions’
A Syrian teacher finds fulfilling new work in the United States One day in 2019, Evon Numan drove past Fontana Adult School (FAS) while taking ...
Read moreNo Wasted Time
An English language learner forges a path from student to substitute bilingual tutor Just a couple of months into taking English classes at Fontana Adult ...
Read moreA Career in Healing
A stay-at-home mom builds on new ambitions as a pharmacy technician After years of being a stay-at-home-mom of four children, Janna Cordero was unsure if ...
Read moreA Soaring Success
An immigrant learns English and finishes high school in pursuit of an aviation career When Govind Lnu arrived in the United States from India, he ...
Read moreA Spark of Inspiration
A new student’s adult school studies bring new educational and career goals When she first stepped on the Fontana Adult School (FAS) campus, 41-year-old Cynthia ...
Read moreSuccess in Translation
A translator/interpreter hones her strengths to finds new job opportunities Maria Trujillo originally wanted a career in social work but, after receiving her bachelor’s degree, ...
Read moreA Community Builder
An immigrant uses her language talents to help others achieve U.S. citizenship Before she was an employee at Fontana Adult School (FAS), Shilpi Nandra was ...
Read moreBack on the Right Path
From legal troubles to law enforcement goals, another chance at a high school diploma offers one student new career options Years ago, Anthony Hinton attended ...
Read moreCamaraderie in the Classroom
A busy school schedule helps one immigrant pursue educational opportunities and build community Bimani Dissanayake likes to keep a full calendar. When the 23-year-old first ...
Read moreFrom Student to School Board
How a teen mom used an adult school opportunity to find career success and a seat on the school board When Mary Sandoval was 17 ...
Read moreSea Change
Commercial diver returns to direct the program that certified her, touts career opportunities in growing offshore wind industry A family trip to Sea World when ...
Read moreA Culture of Support
An ESL student returns to school to aid others as a tutor When Dominick Quinteros moved to California, his goal was to open a restaurant ...
Read moreFinding the Right Path
Southwest Riverside Adult Education’s faculty and staff are dedicated to helping guide students towards a better future Adult students face adult struggles: Work schedules, affordable ...
Read moreA Strong Foundation
Adult students share the positive impacts of completing English as a second language, high school diploma and citizenship courses It’s the American Dream to get ...
Read moreCareer Opportunities Knocking
SRAE member schools open doorways to new careers for adult students An important aspect of Southwest Riverside Adult Education is its commitment to transitioning students ...
Read moreSuccess Through Collaboration
Southwest Riverside consortium looks to build capacity, provide smooth transitions to careers and further education for adult learners Since its creation a decade ago, the ...
Read moreConfident Communication
Improved language skills leads to sense of independence for Santa Paula Adult Education student When Nidia Roth first came to live in the United States ...
Read moreClassroom to Coordinator
Single mother who received several medical certifications now oversees programs and encourages current students When Vania Edgerly received her medical assistant certificate from Conejo Valley ...
Read moreDoubling Down
University student pursuing medical degree takes advantage of dual enrollment at adult school to bolster healthcare experience In 2023, Marie Bell was halfway through her ...
Read moreBuilding a Future
Career training and pre-apprenticeship programs at Simi Institute for Careers and Education gives students the tools to carve a career path At one point or ...
Read moreHelping Hands
Ventura adult school alum and medical program instructor dedicated to helping students find healthcare industry careers After working a series of what he calls “dead-end ...
Read moreFinding Direction
Fillmore Adult School student Oscar Magana found his calling—and employment—through computer classes Over the years, Oscar Magana tried several community college courses hoping to find ...
Read moreLearning the Basics
Digital literacy programs aim to improve students’ computer skills The need for basic digital literacy has become increasingly important as computers become more ubiquitous in ...
Read moreJob Options Unlocked
A mother gets her high school degree and pursues a new, lucrative career trajectory School comes with many challenges, but returning to finish a degree ...
Read moreA Goal Go-Getter
From student to U.S. citizen and school employee, one LASCC graduate keeps aiming higher In 2015, when Perla Tapia immigrated to the United States, she ...
Read moreBuilding Foundational Skills
From graduate to educator, this medical assistant instructor understands the challenges facing adult school students If Jennifer Perez recognizes the many unique needs of the ...
Read moreA New Purpose
Mother of four kickstarts educational career after 20 years outside the classroom Monica Rodriguez, 41, keeps her new high school diploma in her bedroom, where ...
Read moreA Free and Beneficial Education
Adult school prepares students with no-cost college, career and technical training that can reap big rewards Each year, more than 1,000 students enroll at Lompoc ...
Read moreA New Worldview
A former addict’s pursuit of a high school diploma expanded both his education and perspective At 47, Thomas Moran might seem like the typical older ...
Read moreA New Education
After a mother of three moved to the U.S., the Lompoc Adult School and Career Center’s ESL program helped her learn English While living in ...
Read moreOn Solid Ground
After 30 years at sea, a boat captain comes ashore to earn his high school diploma As Mat Curto watched his daughter graduate from high ...
Read moreA Parent’s New Path
An online degree gives a busy father another chance at education For years, Steven Garcia* wanted to finish his high school diploma. At one point ...
Read moreSuccessful Connections
Partners in Education’s free Computers for Families program helps students—and their parents—bridge the digital divide As a child, Chelsea Duffy wanted to be a teacher. ...
Read moreA Creative Boost
After struggling in school, a returning student’s success in digital media studies helps expand her career opportunities Elisama Rabelo was introduced to Fontana Adult School ...
Read more“Speak English Boldly”
A Chinese immigrant’s ESL studies help him obtain U.S. citizenship When Zhenyou Liu relocated from China to the United States in 2015, he obtained a ...
Read moreA New Comfort Zone
A mother’s return to school breaks down a language barrier and builds confidence For years, Claudia Delgadillo put her education on hold. Her struggles with ...
Read moreFor a Healthier Future
Adult English language learners are the focus of filling state’s need for a half-million new healthcare professionals California adult schools, including those in the Ventura ...
Read moreWhen One Door Closes …
After losing her job, Valerie St. Pierre launched a new career with help from Mother Lode Job Training and Columbia College It’s not every day ...
Read more“Firecracker” Season
Lake Tahoe academy rigorously prepares cadets to fight fires in an increasingly overheated world When she was a student at the Lake Tahoe Community College ...
Read moreBuilt to Last
Apprentice ironworker gains real-world experience at the University of Iron In a YouTube video with nearly 6 million views, a slinger pulls a hot iron ...
Read moreEarly Inspiration, Early Success
Compton College offers high school students more opportunities and added support through dual enrollment programs The spark that ignites a young student’s passion for learning ...
Read moreFighting Back
Tubbs Fire survivor finds a path to a firefighting career through community colleges Lupe Duran lost his dog and his home in the catastrophic Tubbs ...
Read moreNew Horizons
Apprenticeship program gives Punjabi immigrant and former teacher an opportunity for a second career—in government When Rachna Sharma immigrated to the United States six years ...
Read moreHigh-speed Connection
Semiconductor apprenticeship provides access to a growing industry A decade ago, Merry Ramirez was trying to make her way in Mexico. She was separated from ...
Read more“No Need to Wait”
Community college dual enrollment program puts high school students on the fast track to university life Karina Carachure was halfway through her junior year at ...
Read moreTake That to the Bank
BankWork$ program gives students the foundation to start a rewarding banking career A job in the exciting world of finance is more attainable than many ...
Read moreA Little Help Goes a Long Way
CALRegional provides aid in building career pathways Students at Oakland Adult and Career Education (OACE) are benefiting from high-quality healthcare training at low costs, thanks ...
Read more“In Love With Technology”
Accomplished digital content producer with multiple degrees returns to community college to sharpen AI, other tech skills In Natal, Brazil, Isadora Vasconcellos realized she was ...
Read moreThe AI Edge
Santa Rosa Junior College student taps AI’s potential to help fellow immigrants overcome barriers to employment Adriana Hernandez was just three years old when her ...
Read moreCenter of Success
Woman finds mental health, career and educational support at The Empowerment Center in Temecula As a young teen, Autumn Hess wandered into The Empowerment Center ...
Read moreA World of Possibilities
Butte College nursing student relishes opportunities provided by accelerated RN program As a brand new graduate of the Accelerated Track Registered Nursing (RN) Program at ...
Read moreTo the Rescue
EMT Alexandro Moya was still in training and working as a casino security guard when he saved his first life Alexandro Moya’s life story now ...
Read moreTwo-Year Ticket to Success
Bakersfield College bachelor’s graduate fast-tracked his path to high-paying career in industrial automation With a mother with a doctorate and a father who teaches high ...
Read moreA Different Path
After embracing her parents’ advice on education, Vasthy Repak earned AS and BS degrees from community colleges Vasthy Repak’s construction worker father and homemaker mother, ...
Read moreDoubling Up
Berkeley student bound for a medical career says high school/community college dual-enrollment helped her achieve scholastic success Aneesa Mustafa is on her way to becoming ...
Read moreA Pathway Back
San Diego College of Continuing Education helps former (and future) nurse find a way back to chosen career Vanessa Munguia was three years into her ...
Read moreBreaking the Cycle
Rising Scholars Network helps launch Lake Tahoe Community College Student on path to higher education and advocacy work Lina Caro Flores’ teens and early 20s ...
Read moreIncarceration to Inspiration
After serving 26 years in prison, Palomar College graduate Jose Romero wants to show others that rehabilitation is possible Growing up the son of addicted ...
Read moreA Fighting Chance
Formerly incarcerated student finds educational success with support from Rising Scholars Network When Clifford Haines was released from Soledad State Prison on September 1, 2021, ...
Read moreThe Drive to Succeed
Long-time caregiver gears up for a new career in automotive technology thanks to union/college partnership The perpetual wars of their homeland got to be too ...
Read moreAccounting for the Golden Years
Caregiver takes advantage of union/college partnership to learn a new trade, bolster finances for retirement Closing in on the big 6-0, Eunice Worrel-Santos is starting ...
Read moreEndless Optimism, New Opportunities
After a long and difficult journey, immigrant caregiver finds support, pathway to education through union/college partnership Roxana de Hernandez is an in-home caregiver for her ...
Read moreA Well-Oiled Machine
Oakland Adult and Career Education partnerships with local job centers help build workforce Building a successful workforce takes a lot of time, effort and funding, ...
Read moreGetting Back to Work
Reentry programs help formerly-incarcerated students acclimate back into communities Today, formerly incarcerated people face greater unemployment rates than those that all Americans faced during the ...
Read moreHealthcare Opportunities Abound
The Lodi Adult School offers several pathways to a medical career, with more in the works As part of a unified effort to address the ...
Read moreBreaking Down Barriers
English Language Learner (ELL) Healthcare Pathways help professionals from other countries continue their professions, as well as people seeking new careers With the healthcare worker ...
Read moreOpening Doors
Program provides adults with disabilities opportunities through skill building Pleasanton Adult and Career Education’s paid internship program (PIP) equips adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities ...
Read moreA New Challenge
Long-time special education teacher finds new inspiration helping older students earn high school diplomas at Ramona Adult School After nearly three decades of teaching special ...
Read moreLearning for Everyone
The Berkeley Adult School’s partnership with the East Bay Center for the Blind provides community education for adults with disabilities In the weekly ceramics class ...
Read moreCareer Connections
Education liaison works to evaluate needs of and build relationships with industry partners Christopher Rodarte was an experienced warehouse worker who’d held jobs at Amazon ...
Read moreSetting a Good Example
When COVID separated Abby Solano and her family from her son, Vista Adult School helped her adjust to a new life in the United States ...
Read moreBalancing Motherhood and Medical Training
Mom of two juggles priorities to secure perfect attendance in Vista Adult School phlebotomy technician training course After taking a long absence from the workforce ...
Read moreAn All-American Family
Guatemalan family of four attain citizenship with help from Castro Valley Adult and Career Education Gustavo Zielke and his wife, Rode, were born in Guatemala. ...
Read moreThinking of the Future
Improved English skills opens door for Afghan student When Noman Hamahang and his family arrived in the United States last year as refugees from Afghanistan, ...
Read moreAround the World and Back
Instructor draws from international experience to teach adult English learners After completing her general education at San Joaquin Delta College, Amber Wolak planned to go ...
Read moreNew Directions
Two students tell how they found their footing through career training courses at Torrance Adult School Not long ago, Junella Kato and Irma Perez faced ...
Read moreCream of the Crop
How local employers benefit from partnership with Torrance Adult School Externships are an essential part of education at Torrance Adult School. Students in the pharmacy ...
Read moreReal World Experience
Torrance Adult School students get hands-on training with externships at local medical facilities After successfully completing one of the three medical Career Technical Education programs ...
Read more“The Mother in Me”
Torrance Adult School instructor goes above and beyond to ensure her students find employment as healthcare workers Yowanda Salter is the research teacher for healthcare ...
Read morePrescription for the Future
Pharmacy technician instructor has spent a decade helping Torrance Adult School students find rewarding medical careers “It’s definitely rewarding to see students I helped teach land ...
Read moreFilling the Gaps
Delta College works to fill workforce development needs in San Joaquin County The San Joaquin Adult Education Consortium (SJAEC) and San Joaquin Delta College are ...
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