“Once I got to Dubuque, it was a green light.”
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Erika’s goals are to earn an Associate of Arts degree from the College and enroll in Clarke University’s social work program.
As soon as Erika Jett arrived in Dubuque in April 2019 from Chicago, she hit the ground running. Her life goals were to earn a high school diploma, complete a college degree and start a rewarding career helping others.
Erika identified resources in her new city and enrolled in 吃瓜黑料鈥檚 high school equivalency diploma (HSED) program.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 have completed my HSED when I was in Chicago. It wasn鈥檛 a reality for me. I was so busy working, taking care of my daughter, going back to work again 鈥� it was the same thing all the time. Once I got to Dubuque, it was a green light,鈥� Erika recalled.
She passed the HSED and graduated on July 29, 2019. She immediately continued with her education. Erika鈥檚 goals are to earn an Associate of Arts degree from the College and enroll in Clarke University鈥檚 social work program.
鈥淚 plan to transfer to Clarke because they have a really good program and then I want to get my master鈥檚 degree, no matter what I do. When I was living and working in Chicago, I kept seeing employment ads and job applications that required a bachelor鈥檚 degree 鈥� and sometimes that amount of education is still not enough. NICC is helping to make this happen. I don鈥檛 have a lot of money and can complete the first two years of a degree here first,鈥� she said.
Erika describes her academic experience at the NICC Dubuque Center as the perfect fit for her goals and needs. 鈥淚 like studying and going to classes there. It鈥檚 small and everyone knows my name.,鈥� she expressed.
As she progressed through classes at NICC, Erika鈥檚 vehicle broke down and threatened her ability to complete assignments. A staff member at the College encouraged her to apply for assistance through the Student Crisis Fund.
鈥淭he fund paid for the repairs the same day my car was fixed. I was able to drive myself, and my daughter, back and forth to school again. 吃瓜黑料 put this fund in place to help us along when times get rough. I鈥檓 so grateful they approved my application,鈥� she said.