Student Success Profile: Melinda Harvey

Today's student success profile features a brief Q and A with Melinda Harvey. Melinda is a Workforce Education student who is enrolled in the Business Management program at Green River. She's nearing completion of her degree but her adventure's just beginning. Check out her story below!

Melinda Harvey

Hi Melinda. Can you tell us what it's like to be a student in the Business Management program at Green River?

Melinda: I enjoyed being a student here at Green River Community College. I can tell you that I had to press my way through classes, working forty hours a week and raising four children. It was hard but I did it. I enjoyed Jeff Perlot and Tim Broxholm (Business faculty members at Green River). They are wonderful teachers, mentors, and they really go the extra mile to help you succeed.

Can you tell us the story of how you decided to pursue training in this field of study?

Melinda: I chose Business Management because I always knew that I would publish books and run my own business. So I had a strong desire to learn how to be the best at running a business.

It looks like you're nearing completion of your Business Management degree. Congrats! What are your plans after graduation?

Melinda: I have just published my first book called, "Loosed to Live: A Reflection of God's Healing." I will be attending Northwest University in Spring 2014, completing a business BA then a Masters in Entrepreneurship. I will also publish the four more books that I have started.

$$$ Tip: All four Workforce Education funding programs - BFET, Opportunity Grant, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst - support Business Management at Green River. 

Student Success Profile: Chris Santiago

Chris Santiago

Today's success profile features a Q and A with Chris Santiago. Chris is a Workforce Education student who is wrapping up a certificate in the Aviation program at Green River Community College. Below, he provides an informative take on what it means to be a student in the Aviation program, here at the college.             
                                                                    
Hi Chris. Welcome to the blog. What specifically are you studying, here at Green River?

Chris: I am studying Airline Dispatch in the Aviation program here at GRCC.

Can you tell us the story of how you decided to pursue training in this field of study?

Chris: I was employed in the aviation field for 8+ years before being laid off in the fall of 2011. After an unsuccessful job search lasting several months - in which I continuously received the response that if I had a dispatchers license with my work experience, my chances of obtaining employment would be greatly increased - I researched my options. I found that GRCC had a very reputable Aviation department with real work experienced instructors. Those factors made enrolling at GRCC for my education toward certification a no brainer.

It looks like you're getting ready to finish your certificate. Congrats! What are your plans after that?

Chris: I will graduate from my certification program and be very prepared to pass my FAA dispatcher practical exam and obtain my license. This will hopefully allow me to become gainfully employed shortly thereafter. I am hoping to continue school to finish my Associate of Applied Science degree in Airline Dispatch and possibly the same in Air Transportation.

What advice would you have for new students who are thinking about pursuing training in a similar field of study?

Chris: I would say if you are looking for an aviation education that will translate to the real world work place, GRCC is by far your best option locally, and in my opinion, anywhere. I would also definitely say make sure you talk to Workforce Education about funding even if you don't think you qualify. They can help in many ways to make things go smoothly and make sense.

$$$ Tip! All four Workforce Education funding programs - BFET, Opportunity Grant, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst - support Aviation training at Green River.