Skilled to Work: MI-BEST program at NEMCC

WTVA reporter Sydney Darden spoke with a student about her experience within the MI-BEST program.

We highlight programs that help people enter the work force without requiring them to get a four- year degree.

But, this week we will take a look at the success story of a woman who was able to turn her life around thanks to the mi-best program at northeast mississippi community college.... nats graduation noises.

Graduation... for some it was an easy road to the diploma.

But for megan mccormick...the road started right here.

Sot megan mccormick, nursing student- "i was just going to stop with that and get and office job."

In an classroom ... late nights and no room for excuses.

Sot- "i was just going to stop with that and get and office job."

A high school drop out and a single mom, mccormick saw an opportunity to better her and her daughter's life through the mi- best program at north east mississippi.

Sot- "now there's really not an excuse not to go back to school.'

After graduating from work force training classes, mccormick is now on the road to becoming a registered nurse.

She says it's thanks to the mi best program that gives struggling former students a second chance by offering multiple forms of support.

Sot- "they provide transportation assistance, which would be like gas cards weekly for certain classes.

But also they gave me a meal ticket for here art northeast so i get my meals for free.

They paid for my ipad."

But director taylor johnson says it doesn't stop there.

While enrolled students can get their high school equivilancy dilpoma and earn college credits as a part time student.

Sot- taylor johnson, mi-best coordinator- "this program is not only for those that don't have a diploma.

We can meet the needs of students that have their high school diploma or high school equivalency and they need the assistance, whether it be financial, tuition or just the team building aspect.

But what ever the need students will, the goal is all the same.

A brighter future for themselves and the one that holds them close.

"my daughter came home and told everyone.

My mama graduated!!"

In booneville sydney darden wtva 9 news .

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There is no enrollment cap for this program.

If you are interested in joining the mi-best program you can visit wtva website for a link... this