CENTRAL

david"It is a privilege to spread the word of the contributions career collegesmake in the world of postsecondary education. Specifically, howRockford Career College changed my life."Being a recent graduate of the college – June 5, 2010 – and this year’svaledictorian graduating with a 4.0 GPA, I am excited to share my story."I was 44 years old, a fragile diabetic and completely blind since I lostmy sight at the age of 32 as a result of a failed transplant operation. Thismeant I had to leave a factory job that I had held for 14 years."At the time, my mother was going to a chiropractor who showed mehow to massage her neck, which helped her in the recovery of an injury.I thought at the time that I might be able to do this for a career andinquired about the program at Rockford Career College. I enrolledshortly thereafter. It was a move that changed my life."When the faculty told me that they may not know how to teach me,I told them, 'If you let me in the program, I’ll teach you how to teachme.' From the first day on, they accommodated my needs. We taughteach other."While in school, I was hospitalized three times due to diabetic seizures.I also suffered a seizure that caused a fall in the shower, breaking my legand ankle. Through all of this, the faculty encouraged me and coachedme throughout those difficult times."Without their support, I would not have made it. Thanks to RockfordCareer College, I have a profession that I can be proud of!" ◄David CrowellRockford Career CollegeMassage Therapypamela"I grew up in Cabrini-Green on Chicago’s North Side – a development known for beingone of the worst public housing communities in the country. As the daughter of a motheraddicted to drugs, my childhood was hard. Many nights, my siblings and I were left alonewith no food and no one to take care of us. When I was 14, I became involved in a gang.This was also when I began living two lives: one as a gang member, the other as an honorstudent. My father was one of the few positive role models in my life, instilling in me thateducation was the key to a better life. When I was 17, my father was killed as a result of anact of gang violence. While still in high school, I gave birth to two children. Soon after, mymother kicked me out of the house. But that didn’t stop me from being a good student.In fact, I worked harder, graduating high school with honors. WHAT'S AT RISK? | 32Pamela JacksonEverest College in MerrillvillePractical Nursing"After the birth of my third daughter at 18, I realized I needed to focus on a stable career.I eventually discovered Everest’s Practical Nursing program. While enrolled at Everest, Iencountered many personal hardships but managed to complete the Practical Nursingprogram in April 2009 with a cumulative GPA of 2.99. Despite the many challenges Ifaced, I believe I was an ideal student with excellent attendance. I passed my state boardexamination in June 2009 and obtained a nursing license in both Indiana and Illinois.Today, I’m very proud of my accomplishment and work at a nursing home as a licensedpractical nurse." ◄