Destinee Harris wasn’t focused on her academics in high school, and she fully expected to enter the Army after graduation. But then she was called down to the auditorium to hear a presentation about a new initiative called the Columbus Promise. While skeptical at first about the program which claimed to offer Columbus City Schools graduates with free tuition to Columbus State Community College, she was intrigued about what this could mean for her future.
When she went home and told her mother about the program, it became clear—her mother knew this was an amazing opportunity and she told Destinee: “You are doing this! You are going to take advantage of what I didn’t have.”
With the help of her I Know I Can advisors, Destinee filled out the Columbus Promise application and the FAFSA and enrolled at Columbus State. She figured she didn’t have anything to lose and everything to gain.
She knew that she wanted to get a job in the medical field, so she started working on her pre-requisites and her phlebotomy certification. As she started taking college classes, she says she blossomed. She became a dedicated student who gained confidence and could see many more possibilities for her future. Instead of going with the flow, she began thinking ahead and dreaming big.
In six semesters at Columbus State, Destinee has completed five certifications (Phlebotomy, Certified EKG Technician, Clinical Laboratory, Emergency Medical Responder and CPR) and is almost finished with her State Tested Nursing Assistant certification. She has been able to work paid jobs in her field at both Ohio Health and Ohio State and is ready for the next challenge.
This summer, she will continue to work at Grant Hospital and plans to enroll at The Ohio State University to begin working to become a Radiologist. Her advice to high school seniors considering the program is simple but powerful:
“Take this opportunity. You have to take a leap and trust your gut to figure out your future. There are people at Columbus State who will help you find your way. I’m so glad I took advantage of the Columbus Promise Without it, none of this would be possible!”