Spotlight on Success: Ty'Quriya, WIOA Adult
Workforce Challenge
Ty'Quriya came to the Workforce Solutions office seeking assistance with enrolling in the Respiratory Therapy Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program at Angelina College. At that time, she was a 26-year-old single parent raising two children under the age of 18. She was employed as a paraprofessional in an educational setting; however, her income was not sufficient to support herself and her family while pursuing higher education.
She also had a limited and inconsistent work history, which created concerns about her ability to balance the demands of full-time college coursework, clinical assignments, employment, and parenting responsibilities. In addition to financial barriers, she faced challenges related to reliable transportation and housing stability throughout her educational journey. Completing a rigorous healthcare program while providing for her family presented significant obstacles, making it uncertain whether she would be able to remain enrolled and graduate as planned.
Workforce Solution
Following her determination of eligibility for the WIOA program, the Ty'Quriya completed all enrollment requirements. Through a comprehensive assessment of her work history, skills, interests, and prior education, her Case Manager identified that she required financial and supportive services to successfully complete the Respiratory Therapy Associate of Applied Science program. Workforce Solutions developed an Individual Employment Plan to address these barriers and provide the resources necessary for her to obtain training for employment as a Respiratory Therapist, a high-demand occupation in the Deep East Texas region.
Result
Ty'Quriya began the Respiratory Therapy program in the fall semester with the support of the WIOA program. She enrolled in 9 credit hours, which qualified as full-time due to the extensive clinical requirements. WIOA provided transportation assistance to help her travel to and from classes and clinical assignments. She also chose to retake a prerequisite course at her own expense to remain on track toward completing the program. She completed her first semester with a 2.69 semester GPA and a 2.43 overall GPA.
During the spring semester, Ty'Quriya enrolled in 11 credit hours. The coursework became increasingly challenging, and although she struggled academically, she successfully completed the semester with a passing grades. Throughout this time, she remained committed to her educational goals by utilizing every available academic resource, including tutoring, instructor support, and regular encouragement from both her instructor and WIOA Case Manager. Their continued support helped reinforce her determination to persevere despite the difficulties she faced.
While balancing the demands of college, clinical assignments, employment, and raising her two children as a single parent, Ty'Quriya encountered several financial hardships that threatened her ability to remain in school. When transportation became a concern, WIOA purchased a new set of tires to ensure she could safely attend classes and clinical rotations. WIOA also provided rental assistance to help stabilize her housing and allow her to remain focused on completing her education. She continued working at a daycare as much as possible while also utilizing SNAP benefits to support her family.
Despite the academic and financial obstacles she encountered, Ty'Quriya remained determined and successfully completed the Respiratory Therapy program. She finished her final semester with a high GPA, which helped raising her cumulative GPA. Upon graduation, she secured full-time employment as a Respiratory Technician. She is currently preparing to take her licensure examination and looks forward to beginning her career as a licensed Respiratory Therapist.
Her story is a testament to the impact that determination, perseverance, and targeted WIOA support can have in helping participants overcome barriers and achieve long-term career success.
Congratulations, Ty'Quriya! We wish you continued success in your career!
Information provided by WIOA case manager, Tesa Cook.
TOPICS: Success Stories
