ALUM N I
KAELEIGH GRAGG Destined for Dentistry
Kaeleigh always knew that she wanted to do
2021 Dental Hygiene Program Status.
something related to science, and she loved
Dear Kaeleigh, The Dental Hygiene review
anything associated with biology. She was
has been completed and your name has been
also a strong student who loved an academic
placed on the list of ALTERNATES for the Fall
challenge, even going as far as attending the
2021 Dental Hygiene class.”
Early College program at CCC&TI to earn her Associates in Science and Arts.
The news struck her hard; not only did she lose the opportunity to have a dream job at
Once she graduated high school, Kaeleigh’s
Green Park Dentistry, but also, she did not
ambition carried her far—she began to
get a smooth entry into the program of her
explore different programs like Nursing or
dreams. Swirling through feelings of defeat
Radiography. Nothing sparked her interest
and confusion, Kaeleigh wondered if this
as much as she had hoped; that is, until she
meant that dentistry isn’t the right path for
considered applying to the Dental Hygiene
her. “I remember thinking...I’ll have to go back
She had no dental assisting experience, but
to the drawing board and to find something
Kaeleigh was determined to set her self up
else to try.”
Dental Hygiene program, she also applied for a position at Green Park Dentistry so that she could get a feel for the true dental world. While she didn’t get the job on the first try, Kaeleigh did transfer to CVCC to complete any remaining prerequisites in her college degree, and after the initial coursework was completed, she submitted an application
Park Dentistry again just to let them know she would be interested in applying for any open assistant positions that students could hold without a degree.
Program at CVCC.
for success; so, while she applied to CVCC’s
ambition, Kaeleigh reached out to Green
“
I’VE LEARNED THAT PATIENCE, DETERMINATION, AND COMMITMENT ARE ALL IMPORTANT THINGS TO HAVE.
”
to the CVCC Dental Hygiene program.
At the bottom of this email, Kaeleigh noticed
With high hopes for the answer, Kaeleigh
a message about CVCC’s Dental Assisting
could not wait. She remembers the day she
program, a separate yet similar degree which
received the final email.
could put her on the right path.
“I was working a shift at Chick-Fil-A,” she
And, after she applied, Kaeleigh was thrilled
says, “when I saw the email notification on
to be accepted to the Dental Assisting
my phone. The subject line said:
program that semester. With a refreshed
Green Park hired her for the job before the CVCC Dental Assisting program began. Kaeleigh was proud of herself, and for good reason: she used her unexpected news to carve a new channel of learning that both satisfied her dreams and gave her opportunities to grow. She gained lots of encouragement from Dr. Nikki Hicks, Department Head and Instructor of Dental Education at CVCC. “She was an amazing educator and made the class a lot of fun,” Kaeleigh remembers. “Although we all came across challenging points during the program, Dr. Hicks was always so supportive and uplifting.” One of the unexpected benefits of the CVCC Dental Assisting program is that our students are
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