Cindy Otchere is a straight “A” college student who has recently earned her associate’s degree of science in general studies at Capital Community College in Hartford, Connecticut as a part of the Job Corps advanced career training program.

Cindy joined Hartford Job Corps in June 2017 to begin a fresh start at a time when she was on the verge of homelessness. Nearly three years later, Cindy has not only completed the certified nursing assistant (CNA) program and driver’s education classes but has also completed two full years of college (including two summer intersessions), giving her a total of 79 credits to transfer toward her continued education.

“Job Corps has really been a great resource to me, especially when I had nothing to my name upon coming in,” she reflects, “I can now brag of my CNA certification, my driver’s license, and my associate’s degree thanks to this program. And I am truly grateful.”

This year, Cindy was accepted to the University of Connecticut where she plans to continue her studies in the university’s pre-pharmacy program, with the ultimate goal of obtaining her doctorate in Pharmacy. C0indy says she’ll use her CNA certification to work and help pay for her schooling.

“It feels great to finish my associate degree…It came with a lot of sacrifices and challenges,” she says, but adds that those challenges pushed her to become the person she is today.