Building Futures: Preparing the Workforce of Tomorrow Lewis and Clark Community College

In this episode, you'll hear from special guest Niecey May, a graduate of the YouthBuild program. Niecey shares her inspiring journey from discovering her passion for electrical work and solar energy to becoming a successful union electrician. She discusses the challenges she faced growing up, the support and encouragement she received from her church family, and the valuable skills and confidence she gained through the YouthBuild program. Niecey also offers advice for current students and emphasizes the importance of perseverance, humility, and hard work in achieving your goals.

Joining the podcast this month is Chloe Stockard, Transition Coordinator at the Adult Education Center. Chloe shares details about her background growing up in the area, her close relationship with her late mother who was a major influence in her life, and the pivotal moment when her mother became ill that gave Chloe a newfound strength. Chloe also discusses her role in helping adult education students transition to college or careers, tailoring her support to each individual, and her motto of having "a great day on purpose." 

In this episode, you'll meet Computer Careers Instructor Jen Gibson. Jen talks about her background as an educator, what led her to teach computer literacy to adult learners, and her excitement for bringing real-world applicable digital skills and knowledge to students. She emphasizes that these abilities with software, hardware, and technology tools are essential for jobs today and invites anyone wanting to build their professional capacities to reach out to the program.

Tune in for a conversation with Vaughan Kuykendall, a 17-year-old student who found success through the YouthBuild program. Vaughan shares his journey of earning his Illinois high school diploma and receiving an AmeriCorps education award for his service projects, and how he is using the funds to advance his automotive education. He also shares advice for future students about the mindset that it takes to succeed.

This episode takes listeners through the steps of enrolling as an adult education student at Lewis and Clark Community College. It introduces the various staff members and their roles, including the outreach specialist, associate dean, directors, administrative team, pathway advocates, and transition coordinator. Discover the services offered such as earning a high school diploma, English classes, tutoring, job placement, and college transition support. 

In this episode, you'll get to hear from two amazing tutors in the Project READ program, as they share their experiences working with adult learners on improving reading, writing, math, and English language skills. You'll learn tips on how to connect with and motivate adult students. You'll also discover the flexibility of volunteering as little as 1 hour per week and customizing lessons to the learner's interests. If you've ever considered being a tutor or know someone who may benefit from free tutoring, this is a great episode.