WIOA Program helped LCC graduate finished what she had started

Sherrinita Caldwell of Kinston wanted to finish what she had started a few years ago, her college degree. Married, separated, and a single mother of two, she was a stay-at-home mother for a few years. She relocated from Waldorf, MD back to Kinston in 2019 to help care for her mother who was battling cancer. Her mother’s health improved, and Caldwell decided to enroll into the Early Childhood Program at Lenoir Community College. 

She had attended college previously but didn’t have financial assistance to cover her last semester until she discovered the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Program. She was recruited by WIOA Career Advisor Ika Grant and informed about the benefits of the program. She enrolled into the WIOA Adult Program and received tuition and book assistance for her last semester. Caldwell maintained an A average in her classes while working part-time with Lenoir County Public School System. She also completed an internship while earning her degree.

Caldwell was persistent and consistent in achieving her educational goals. “I knew my children were depending on me and failing wasn’t an option,” she said. “I struggled a little bit with my public speaking course because I was nervous, but I quickly gained the confidence I needed and finished the course with an A.”

While working part-time, she became a mentor to the children in the first, second, and fifth grades at the school and worked as an Interventionist.  She said she loved working with children and helping them overcome peer pressure, self-esteem issues, and any other issues that affected their educational needs or mental status. 

Grant said the Caldwell had a special bond with the children and she could tell if something was wrong.  “She would tutor them and take time to make sure they understood their work and could complete it without her assistance,” she said. 

Caldwell’s efforts did not go unnoticed by the staff as they saw the cultivating relationship Caldwell had with the children produced outstanding results in the classroom. She was offered a full-time position after she finished school. She graduated with honors from LCC with an Early Childhood degree in May. She earned a 4.0 GPA during her last semester. Four days later on May 9, she started her full-time First Grade Teacher Assistant/Bus Driver position with the Lenoir County Public Schools.

She said her children seeing her walk across the stage to receive her degree was the highlight of the night for her.  She added that enjoyed this journey and was glad she followed her heart towards this career path. She said being in the WIOA program helped her stay on track with her classes. It gave her the opportunity to share with her WIOA Career Advisor, Ika Grant concerns that she may had or any assistance that she needed to be successful in school and in finding a job.  

“Mrs. Grant is awesome. She kept me focused because she understood that being a mom and trying to succeed in school is hard but able to be achieved. Mrs. Grant gave me the tools I needed to stay focus and to keep persevering forward until I met every goal that we set together,” she said. “She helped me to be confident in my public speaking class and to achieve my goal of an A. She gave me resources to help with my resume to become successful in my career. She was very helpful and understanding.” 

Caldwell recommends the WIOA Program especially to single mothers who need help with achieving their goals. “It’s a great program to receive help with retraining needs and obtaining gainful employment opportunities.”