Building Futures: Preparing the Workforce of Tomorrow

This episode features a conversation with Ralph Wideman, an adult education graduate who successfully completed his high school diploma at age 46 in 2023. Ralph shares his inspiring journey from working in the horse racing industry and trucking to pursuing higher education, now studying accounting at Lewis and Clark Community College. With candid discussions about balancing full-ti

Tune in to hear from two YouthBuild students, Jada and Will, about their recent service trip to Oregon. The students share their experiences of traveling across the country, participating in team-building activities, and contributing to a "blitz build" project where they helped construct tiny homes for unhoused individuals. They discuss the impact of the trip on their personal grow

In this month's episode, Jill interviews Casio Manley, a 17-year-old student who recently earned his Illinois high school diploma through the YouthBuild program. Casio talks about his journey in the program, from initially struggling with focus and motivation, to developing mental toughness, setting goals, and persevering through obstacles to pass his GED exams. Tune in to discover

In this episode, we sit down with Melissa McKay, a graduate of the Illinois High School Diploma program and current nursing student at Lewis and Clark Community College. Melissa shares her journey of overcoming personal challenges, including being a young mother, battling addiction, and navigating relationships, to pursue her education and dream of becoming a nurse. She also discus

In this episode, you'll hear from BreAnna Buchanan, a recent graduate of the Illinois High School Diploma program from Lewis and Clark Community College in Greene County. BreAnna openly shares her story of facing addiction, losing custody of her son, and working hard to rebuild her life. She talks about earning her diploma while working at the Greene County Health Department as a r

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 skill

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 adu

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 an

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

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,