Inspiring Success Story: James McBride discovers new self-confidence and purpose in life

"When I started at Lower Columbia College, my two boys and I were homeless." ~ James McBride

In June 2011 James became the first in his family to graduate from college and earn a degree. He and his two sons now live in a two bedroom apartment of their own, and the boys continue to thrive thanks to LCC's Head Start program.


James McBride and his two sons.

James served in the U.S. Army under Operation Desert Storm, then made several tries at college. In 2009 he and his boys were homeless, living in his parents' home, when he received a postcard saying the boys qualified for Head Start.

That was the first step.

"Head Start allowed me to grow as an individual and learn leadership skills I never dreamed I could learn."

Through James' involvement he was elected to the LCC Head Start Policy Council board all three years that his children attended. He was elected to the Executive Committee first as the Vice President, and then as the Head Start State Representative to the Washington State Head Start Association, where he advocated for children and families.

"Through the LCC Head Start program I have gained a passion for advocacy. I advocate for children and families not only in Washington State, but nationally as well."

In 2010 James was awarded Head Start's National Father of the Year, and in 2011 he graduated from Lower Columbia College with an associate degree in Automotive Technology.

"I have gained so much from attending Lower Columbia College. I have regained independence for myself and my family, and I have a new-found confidence that I can accomplish anything I set my mind and my heart too. I am proud to call myself an LCC Alumni and look forward to giving back to the college that has given me so very much."

In January 2102 James was nominated for the Transforming Lives Award by the Trustee Association of Washington Community And Technical Colleges. Here's James' story of determination and success in his own words.

LCC is very proud to have played a part in James' new-found independence, self esteem and hope for the future.

Inspiring Success Story: Travis Colby Takes Off, Helping Boeing Build Its New Planes

"I would like to thank you for your interest in me, and my family's future, in my new career," ~ Travis Colby, Welding and Machine Shop graduate

Travis Colby demonstrates some of the new CNC
Machine Equipment in LCC's Machine Shop

Travis Colby is grateful, and excited about his new job at The Boeing Company’s Auburn plant. Starting today (Jan. 6), he makes parts for an eagerly anticipated new plane—a union job that starts at $19.75 per hour.

Boeing Recruiting
Boeing executives visited LCC in October to discuss the company’s training needs with our faculty, and brief students on the aerospace industry and how to use Boeing’s Human Resources website.

Travis attended, and handed his résumé and cover letter to Harris Sullivan, Human Resources Manager for the Fabrication Division, Commercial Airplanes. Sullivan called him from his car on the way back, recommending a couple jobs for which he was qualified. “I have my English 110 instructor, Gary Meyer, to thank for knowledge I put to good use designing my résumé,” says Colby.

Machine Trades Instructor Kam Todd reports that several other LCC students are right behind Colby in the Boeing job queue.

Machine Shop Instructor Kam Todd shows some of the
College's CNC milling equipment to Harris Sullivan, Human
Resources Manager for the Fabrication Division,
Commercial Airplanes, The Boeing Company.

Lay-Off Proofing
Colby came to LCC after being laid off from his job at a rock crushing plant, hoping that strong credentials would make him less susceptible to layoffs.

He had experience welding, fixing equipment, and moved quickly into LCC’s Welding program. As a part-time student employee, he helped out in the Welding Shop and worked for LCC Campus Services.  “I’d like to thank the LCC Maintenance Crew for the maintenance knowledge they shared with me, and my new supervisor there, Ken Noble, for his strong leadership and down-to-earth attitude toward his employees. I will never forget any of them.”

After finishing his Associate in Applied Arts Degree in Welding, Colby continued at LCC, working toward his degree in Machine Trades. He’ll finish that degree Winter Quarter, with work experience credit for his new job. He held a 3.9 GPA, graduating with highest honors.

"Travis was and will continue to be a good learner," said LCC Welding instructor Randy Byrum. "Boeing hired a fine man."

Grateful Heart
“Randy (Byrum) and Kam (Todd) have the type of character I will always strive to instill in myself,” Colby wrote in a December letter of thanks. “They will always be in my life one way or another.”

Colby also thanked the Financial Aid staff, writing: “I just wanted to thank Betty (Sjoblom), Ronda (Manick), Marisa (Greear), and everyone in the Financial Aid Office for everything you have done for me and my family while I attended LCC. You all have done a wonderful job in a very tough department.

“I will do my best to keep in contact with you and give you reports on how things are going at Boeing.  LCC students are lucky to have such a hard-working and dedicated team pulling for those who want to succeed.”

Inspiring Success Story: Sarah Vilardi Finds Her Niche, Organic Chemistry

“I got very excited about chemistry, especially organic. That’s when I switched my major.” ~ Sarah Vilardi, LCC graduate

Sarah Vilardi was training for a career in ballet when an injury sent her looking for a new dream. She found—and followed—it at Lower Columbia College.

Sarah had always liked science. Exploring different fields at LCC, she was an excellent student and became a math, biology and chemistry tutor in the Learning Commons. Thinking she would become an MD, she took every science class she could. “I got very excited about chemistry, especially organic. That’s when I switched my major.”

Taking her tutoring work to the next level, she led Supplemental Instruction sections in chemistry. Sarah was active in the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and helped with judging at Science Olympiad events.

Next step: Willamette University
“As I found my niche in chemistry and teaching, I went to Willamette University and said, ‘Hey, this is a great school for me; a great fit.’” Chemistry Instructor Armando Herbelin, her advisor, helped her with her scholarship application, and he and fellow instructor Adam Wolfer both wrote letters of recommendation.

She got that scholarship, and the transfer went great. “My credits from LCC transferred so well! I actually had enough math at LCC that it was feasible for me to get a math minor.” The math is especially valuable to her as a researcher. “I have to commend the LCC Math Department. I took a lot of math from Dawn Draus, and she is incredible.”

Today, Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Willamette University, with a minor in Mathematics, and is working toward a PhD in Chemistry, doing research in at the University of Utah.

“I really enjoyed my undergraduate lab research at Willamette. It was a big leap for me…I received excellent instruction, both at LCC and at Willamette. I know what research is like, and they really prepared me and pushed me toward what I need to be successful in grad school.”

Sarah took every science class she could at LCC, and led
special Supplemental Instruction groups in Chemistry.

Working on her PhD
At Utah, she’s a teaching and research assistant, grading papers, helping in the lab, leading discussion sessions, staffing open office hours, and helping with research projects. She just finished her first semester. After two years, she will have enough credits and have done enough research to receive her master’s degree.

Sarah has already zeroed in on her doctoral research area: organometallic chemistry. She will use linear algebra to predict chemical reactions, saving time and expense in designing the best catalysts.

Inspiring Success Story: Kinzey Wilson

Student artwork lights up cover of class schedule and musical concert programs!

This beautiful painting featured on the cover of the 2011 Fall Class Schedule was created by Kinzey Wilson, an art major at Lower Columbia College.

A lifelong resident of Longview and former R.A. Long student, Kinzey is considering a career working as a museum or gallery curator or teaching art. Her painting is also featured on the program cover for the musical concerts presented by LCC vocal and instrumental groups this year.

Good luck Kinzey!

Inspiring Success Story: Carrie White

“There was more to my degree than a piece of paper…I got the confidence that, yes, I can do this!” ~ Carrie White, Accounting Technician graduate

Carrie White picked up accounting skills on her own and worked in the field for years, but after being laid off for the second time, she decided it was time to layoff-proof herself a bit.

Carrie White got a job with Cowlitz County
while finishing her Accounting degree

She graduates from LCC in December 2011 with an Accounting Technician Associate in Applied Science degree, but her education has already paid off.

She started Oct. 3 as an accounting clerk with Cowlitz County Public Works. In her new job, she handles reception, takes payments, and handles the fleet maintenance records; tracking fuel, parts, mileage, service and more.

The Trade Act provided federal funding for her education, and she took 18-20 credits per quarter so she could finish in less than two years.

She almost didn’t apply for the county job. What if she got it, and found herself with an overwhelming work and school schedule? She had plenty of competition, too. “There were 30-50 other applicants in the testing room, two nights in a row.”

But the combination of her degree and those years of work experience set her apart.

“There was more to my degree than a piece of paper…I got the confidence; knowing I am smart, and that I belong here; and the encouragement from the instructors. I got the confidence that, yes, I can do this!”

When she was hired, her instructors accommodated her work schedule and her family stepped up to help out, so she could handle the months of full-time work and school to finish her degree.

Carrie was determined to get the most from her experience, and made the President’s List with straight-A’s all the way through. She prepared herself for her first “B” this fall, but that’s OK, she says with a chuckle.

A 1990 Castle Rock High School graduate, she’s the mother of three (21, 17 and 15) and a new grandmother. “My kids think it’s pretty cool that I went back to school,” she says, adding that her college experience has helped her family grow closer. “Now my daughter is doing Running Start.”

Inspiring Success Story: David Peckham

"Honestly, I don't know where I would be right now without Kam (Todd). He really guided me." ~ David Peckham, Machine Trades graduate

David Peckham started his job at Macro Manufacturing in Portland the week after he finished his Associate in Applied Science degree in Machine Trades at LCC.

David Peckham checks out new Computerized
Numerical Control (CNC) equipment at LCC.

LCC Machine Trades instructor Kam Todd says he's in good company.

"There are jobs out there, but only for people with skills...All of my Spring and Summer graduates are working, if they want to be."

Employers looking for good workers often contact Todd, who freely refers his graduates

"My Manufacturing Occupations Certificate and Process. Manufacturing students are getting jobs too."

Actually, Peckham started out in the Manufacturing Occupations Certificate (MOC) program as part of a wave of MOC students who received American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funding to pay for their first year at LCC. The ARRA assistance "was a great help to me," Peckham said.

He'd been laid off from his forklift-driving job, and came up dry in his job search. "There was absolutely nothing out there for work. I had a couple friends who were going to college and they really recommended it."


David and  his youngest daughter
Heather visit the LCC Machine Shop.

He came to LCC to get his GED, thinking he needed that before he could go to college, and was steered into the I-BEST Manufacturing Occupations program. I-BEST helps students succeed by providing extra help with the reading and math aspects of their training. It's also available for Business Technology, Early Childhood Education, Health Occupations Core and Nursing Assistant certificates.

The MOC program includes some Machine Trades training, and he really enjoyed it. "I like to watch things take shape."

So, after earning his one-year certificate in Manufacturing Occupations, he continued on to get his Machine Trades 2-year degree.

Because he completed an Associate in Applied Science degree, Peckham also received his High School Diploma, which especially delighted him. As graduation approached, he researched employers online, found Macro and sent his résumé. "My interview was my last day of class." He started work the following Wednesday.

He says Todd and his LCC education did more than get him a good job so he can support his family (he and his wife have four children).

"Kam Todd changed my life," says Peckham, who graduated with honors and was named the Machine Trades Student of the Year.

"Honestly, I don't know where I would be right now without Kam. He really guided me. He not only taught me the skills, but he transformed my attitude. He'll be one of the guys I'll always remember; always come back to check in with."

Instructor Kam Todd and David Peckham enjoy a visit.

Inspiring Success Story: Angela Niday

“I am so blessed and amazed." ~ Angela Niday, LCC Nursing Graduate (June, 2011)

2011 Nursing grad Angela Niday loves
her job at the Family Health Center.

Angela Niday graduated from LCC’s Nursing Program in June, 2011. Today, she is a family planning nurse at the Family Health Center in Longview.

“I wake up every morning, thinking how blessed I am. This job gives me everything I need.”

The 8 to 5 weekday job not only allows her to support her children, but works with their school schedule.

Easy? No, she says. “I just got really lucky.”

While a student at LCC, she had a work-study job in the LCC Administration Building. The flexible work hours enabled the single mother, who doesn’t receive financial support or have family babysitting backup, to do what she needed to do while her children were in school. She made enough money to get by, with help from other services—such as WIC and CAP, and three LCC scholarships, the Lisa Jo Clark Memorial Scholarship, Ethel Kirkpatrick Scholarship, and Sister Francina Dodd Scholarship.

However, she hit the nursing job market with no work history in the healthcare field, except her clinicals and preceptorship (internship) at St. John Medical Center.

Continuing to work part-time at LCC after graduation, Angela applied for nursing jobs, “blind application after blind application,” and worried that she wouldn’t be able to land the good job she needed to support her children.

Angela had chosen nursing because she wanted to help people; to advocate for them. “It’s the direct patient relationship that draws me.” That’s what got her the job at Family Health Center. “I didn’t have the two years of experience they wanted, but they felt I had the heart to do this job. We deal with young girls, sometimes people with mental illness, living in poverty, uninsured,” she said.

“I know what people are dealing with…I have experience dealing with the services people need. Some of the local agency people really changed my life,” she says, recalling a very caring woman who helped her with Women Infants and Children (WIC) assistance.

“There are people who just need to be reminded that someone cares about them. I see a lot of potential in people. I want to be that someone who cares about them.”

The clinic managers are teaching her what she needs to know: things like insurance verification and computerized records. She works under a provider, with set parameters. She can prescribe limited medications for specific situations, and helps her patients find other help they may need.

Angela has been admitted to WSU-Vancouver to earn her bachelor of science in nursing, and awarded the $10,000 Anna & Dwight Schwab Memorial scholarship. While she doesn’t need a BSN for this job, it will help her continue to learn and grow.

She looks around her small office, face full of joy. “I am so blessed and amazed.”