Building Futures: Preparing the Workforce of Tomorrow

Hosted by Lewis and Clark Community College

Business Education

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Apr 2025

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About the show

This podcast is brought to you by Lewis and Clark Community College, a two-year higher education institution with multiple campuses, a river research center, a humanities center, a training center and Community Education Centers. To learn more, visit https://www.lc.edu

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60 recent

April 25, 202518 min

E60: From GED to CNA: Kelly's Journey of Resilience and Purpose

In this episode, host Jill Dupy is joined by Kelly, a recent graduate of the Illinois High School Diploma program and a newly certified CNA. Kelly shares her inspiring journey from overcoming personal challenges and raising three children to earning her diploma and pursuing a career in caregiving. Kelly discusses the impact of education, the importance of believing in yourself, and what success means to her. Whether you're a student, educator, or community member, Kelly's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to take the next step toward your future.

March 26, 202520 min

E59: Never Too Late: Christina's Path from GED to Welding Career

Tune in for a conversation with Christina Johnson, a 38-year-old single mother who recently earned her high school diploma through the Illinois High School Diploma Program. Christina shares her personal journey of overcoming obstacles, including unstable housing during her youth, to achieve educational success. She discusses how she completed her GED in just six weeks while balancing work and parenting responsibilities, and is now pursuing welding certification through a competency-based education program. Throughout the conversation, Christina offers inspirational advice about setting goals, making sacrifices, and maintaining determination despite challenges.

October 30, 202417 min

E58: Never Give Up: How Adult Education Changed Ralph Wideman's Future

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-time work, family life, and 13 college credits per semester, Ralph offers valuable insights about the importance of education and perseverance.

October 5, 202425 min

E57: Beyond the Classroom: YouthBuild's Cross-Country Learning Experience

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 growth, the importance of community service, and the benefits of the YouthBuild program.

August 5, 202425 min

E56: Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones: A YouthBuild Graduate's Journey

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 how YouthBuild provided Casio a supportive, family-like environment for him to gain skills, and work towards his ultimate passion of opening his own automotive shop one day.

June 3, 202420 min

E55: From GED to Nursing Degree: Melissa McKay's Transformative Journey

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 discusses the rigors of the nursing program, the importance of perseverance, and how her faith has been a guiding force in her life.

May 22, 202430 min

E54: From Struggle to Success: BreAnna's Transformative Story of Earning Her Diploma

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 recovery navigator, using her own experiences to support others on similar paths. She also highlights the key role support systems played in her journey and how gaining an education boosted her confidence and self-esteem.

March 5, 202433 min

E53: The Power of Perseverance: Niecey May's Journey from Uncertainty to Union Electrician

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.

February 13, 202438 min

E52: Guiding Students Forward: A Transition Coordinator's Journey

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."

January 30, 202423 min

E51: Building Computer Literacy for Adult Learners

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.