Melissa Via
Career Pathways Program

Melissa Via has big plans for her self and her college education. As a white, single mother of 3, she knows a lot about self sacrifice and doing without. But she also knows the rewards of hard work, and is already starting to reap those rewards.

Melissa started Career Pathways in Fall of 2005. Like many other students she was drawn to the school with hopes of getting a college degree with the help Career Pathways could offer. Melissa is now on the last semester of her prerequisites for the Radiology Technology program. She will begin the 2 year program in August 2007, completing her Associates Degree by Summer 2009. When she started Career Pathways she was living with her boyfriend and her children. As she has grown and learned, bettering herself immeasurably, he became fearful and unwilling to accept her choices. They have since separated, and Melissa believes it is for the best, knowing it is easier to do it on her own, than to share the experience with someone who does not want her to succeed. 

In the short time Melissa has been a Career Pathways student she has accomplished much. She improved her test scores, got into college and is now a member of the international honor fraternity for two year colleges, Phi Theta Kappa.  She feels the financial assistance provided to help pay for daycare and college are huge helps, as well as the prep time she was able to utilize before college and now during her studies to keep her on task. Her further education goals include a Bachelors Degree in Radiology.  Melissa understands that the “further you go, the better you are”.