Published: March 31, 2009 09:49 pm      

Adults inspired to give college a try

DANVILLE — One hundred thirty-seven special visitors gathered at Danville Area Community College’s Vermilion Hall Tuesday to participate in the college’s 11th ENRICH program.

ENRICH, which stands for Eliminating Negative Reinforcements — Inspiring Confidence and Hope, hosts community members who haven’t been exposed to higher education and offers testimonies and resources to help them through the process of applying to college.

Several college representatives, including those from the financial aid office, and the Student Success Center were on hand to explain the services they offer.

But a talk by Aya Fubara Eneli, CEO of Kaneli International Training Institute, was the biggest hit of the morning.

Several in attendance said her words not only inspired them, but gave them confidence to pursue their own goals.

So inspired was Ta’Ler March, a Danville High School senior, that she was moved to write down one of Eneli’s quotes on her palm which said, “You can have anything you want in life if you’re willing to pay the price.”

March was accompanied by classmate Kiersten Goble, also a senior from DHS.

In school, kids are taught they can have anything they want, but they limit themselves once they graduate, the girls said.

Both are now considering either DACC or Parkland College.

Goble said she didn’t know that DACC had so many course offerings. She might pursue a degree in design.

March is interested in youth ministry for a career.

The girls also liked Candace McNeal’s speech. McNeal completed an associate’s degree at DACC and is working on a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University.

McNeal talked about the inevitability of barriers to one’s dreams, but through motivation, they can be overcome, they said.

“You have to have the right mindset to go to college,” Goble said.

Artiris Jones, a Danville resident who works as a child care provider, was also on hand.

Jones appreciated the opportunity to hear about the programs the college offers, and meet other people.

“They’re encouraging us to do better for ourselves, and I like to get to know people in my community,” she said.

Jones’ biggest dream is to become a registered nurse. She began the program previously, but quit because disabilities kept her from parts of the coursework.

Now that she’s learned about the Student Success Center, she’s determined to go back.

“It’s very, very hard,” she said of the required coursework.

She intends to begin classes this summer.

She’s come to DACC on and off since 2005, and encourages others to visit the college if they’re considering going back to school.

“If you want to be helped, they’ll help you,” she said.

Charlene Trussel of Ridge Farm has just begun a GED program at the college. After class Tuesday, she joined classmates at the ENRICH program.

She plans to also obtain her Certified Nursing Assistant degree as well

“I want to do better for myself,” she said.

Nursing is a good profession for her because she loves caring for other people, she said.

“It makes me proud,” she said, when she knows she’s helped someone.

She learned about additional programs the college offers, including counseling programs and job search services, like resume and cover letter-writing assistance.

“So many people care,” she said of DACC. “You walk in and so many people want to help.

“It makes me feel good to be going back to school.”