STUDENT DISCOVERS PONITZ PIPELINE’S “LIFETIME BENEFITS” Damon Bradley Jr. was already excited to be a firstyear student in the Kettering College respiratory care program. Life got even better when he met Pamela Wilson, who connected him with scholarship support and mentoring — all because he had graduated from Ponitz Career Technology Center in downtown Dayton. Wilson coordinates the Ponitz Pipeline, an innovative partnership between Kettering College and Dayton Public Schools. Established in 2007, the program offers career and college preparation activities for students in Ponitz’s allied health program during 10th through 12th grade and after they graduate. The students participate in Pipeline activities designed to spark interest in health care fields such as radiology, sonography, rehabilitation, surgical assistance, and nursing. Kettering College faculty and staff provide:
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• H E A LT H C A R E E R C O U N S E L I N G • M E N TO R I N G A N D S U P P O R T • C L A S S R O O M - B A S E D I N S T R U C T I O N O N TO P I C S SU CH AS I N T E RV I E W SKI L LS & F I N A N C I A L LI T E R AC Y • S C I E N C E - R E L AT E D F I E L D T R I P S • JOB SHADOWING Although Bradley didn’t participate in the Pipeline before his graduation from Ponitz in 2017, Wilson explained that he had “lifetime benefits” — including mentoring and scholarships. Sources of Inspiration “I’m so grateful for the program, which has helped me financially by making sure I’m able to continue going to college,” Bradley said. “Ms. Wilson served as my mentor and is helping ensure my success while in school. Her mentorship is pushing me to be even better, not only as a student, but also as a growing young man in this society.” Bradley’s decision to enroll at Kettering College was inspired by his dad, Damon Bradley Sr., who graduated from Kettering College’s respiratory care program in 2012. After witnessing his father’s positive experience in the respiratory care program, Bradley decided to follow in his footsteps. “I watched as the Kettering College family continued to support and push my father throughout his college experience,” Bradley said. “I love how their involvement helped to secure my father’s future in the medical business,” Bradley said. Breaking Down Barriers Some Ponitz students are faced with obstacles, such as a lack of college readiness, low academic self-esteem, and income disadvantages that prevent them from applying to college.
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pacesetter • 2019
SUPPORTING THE PONITZ PIPELINE
