Northwest Mi-BEST student overcomes adversity to find success

Senatobia, MS (04/23/2019) — by LaJuan Tallo, assistant director of Communications/Public Information

Melena Gonzalez makes no bones about sharing her story. "All the things I have been through? There are people out there who need to hear my story. Maybe I can inspire them," Gonzalez said.

The 19-year-old grew up in Memphis, but now lives in Hernando with her brothers. "I started working at 14, because I had to help support my mother and my three brothers," she says quietly. She explained that her father is Mexican and her mother American, and in 2008, her father, who had been the bread winner for the family, was deported back to Mexico and lost his "green card" in the process. She and her oldest brother were living with their grandparents, who were taking them to school. Her father came back in 2013, only to be deported again. "This took a real emotional and physical toll on us," Gonzalez said.

At around age 14, Gonzalez was being homeschooled. She was also trying to help support her family. By the time she was 16, she had left school and was working full-time as a housekeeper and supporting the family. "With my job and the benefits we were receiving, we were making it work," Gonzalez said.

Along the way, she met a lady named Kelly, who would become a mentor to her. Kelly tried to help her get into Southwest Tennessee Community College to take her High School Equivalency (HSE) test, but Gonzalez lost her job and could not pursue it at the time. "The company I worked for was let go by their client, and suddenly I was out of a job. It was just too much. I became very depressed and my mental health suffered," Gonzalez said.

She explained that she had gone to her cousin's graduation at the school where she had attended before she quit school, and it was there she had a life-changing epiphany. She saw a lot of her old classmates cross the stage, and it was an eye-opening experience.

"I was supposed to be on that stage too. I went home crying and I knew I needed to change. I wanted my education. I felt like I was strong enough, and I knew I should have gotten it done before, but life just got in the way," Gonzalez said.

She first looked into the GED program in Hernando and took the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE). Her scores were good enough to get the attention of Elizabeth Kairit, MI-BEST coordinator and Rachelle Washington, MI-BEST student navigator, who felt she needed to try their program at Northwest Mississippi Community College.

The Mississippi Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (MI-BEST) program is open to Mississippi residents aged 18 and older who have not earned a high school diploma. MI-BEST has been in effect at Northwest since spring 2016. It is funded by the Department of Labor and the W.F. Kellogg's Foundation. At Northwest, MI-BEST students can choose college classes in manufacturing or health care while earning their HSE.

According to Kairit, there are 12 seats for the manufacturing pathway, and 20 for health care. Upon completion of the MI-BEST program, students will have earned 15-18 hours of college credit, completed the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), earned a SMART START credential, earned a high school diploma, and obtained occupational and industrial based credentials. The MI-BEST program is free to students.

"I talked to my counselor who thought it might be a bit overwhelming, but she encouraged me to try it if I felt I wanted to," Gonzalez said. She tried and succeeded in the Health Care Assistant program, earning the HSE and passing the state board to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.

"I remember the first time I met Melena. She was extremely shy and quiet. She wasn't certain about the program and all it required, but we assured her we believed she could do it. It has been very rewarding to watch her succeed over the past year. She comes by my office a few times a week to visit and is always smiling and eager to share what is going on in her classes and her life. I love hearing about her goals and sharing her accomplishments. Melena is a perfect example of why we do what we do. She is very smart and will be a big success," said Kairit.

But the HCA certificate and HSE was not enough for Gonzalez. "I thought, I am in an environment where I am being taken care of. I may as well take advantage of what I am being offered," Gonzalez said.

She is still at Northwest, and is graduating with her HCA certificate this May. She is currently enrolled in the Medical Office Technology program, which leads to the Associate of Applied Science degree. "I am enjoying the accounting and business classes and I feel like I could pursue a career in business management. Maybe one day I can own my own business," Gonzalez said.

She recommends the MI-BEST program to anyone who needs a second chance. "I seriously thought I would be doing all of this by myself, but there is always someone there to support you both emotionally and physically. Mrs. Elizabeth, Mrs. Rachelle, and Mrs. Mary Julia Moore (MI-BEST instructor) are like mothers to me. They have been there for me ever since I started," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez plans to return to Northwest this fall and live on campus. She is going to study Business Management Technology. "After all I have been through, I was still able to pick myself up and I did it. I got myself through things, and I still have a lot of goals to accomplish," Gonzalez said.

"Melena is a student that is a true inspiration not only to other students, but to her instructors, as well. To witness her determination to overcome obstacles to achieve the goals she has set for herself is truly one of the greatest rewards that any teacher could hope for," said Beth Dickerson, Business and Office Technology instructor.

For more information on the MI-BEST program at Northwest, contact Kairit at (662)560-1135 or email ekairit@northwestms.eduor Rachelle Washington, MI-BEST navigator at (662) 562-3715 or rwashington@northwestms.edu. To learn more about the Business and Office Technology program, visit the college's website at northwestms.edu or contact Dickerson at bdickerson@northwestms.edu.

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MGonzalez.jpg

Melena

Gonzalez

Southaven, MS

Northwest Mississippi Community College

Northwest Mi-BEST student overcomes adversity to find success

Media Attachments

Northwest Mississippi Community College

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