Student Discovers Ponitz Pipeline's Lifetime Benefits

Damon Bradley Jr. was already excited to be a first year 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:

• HEALTH CAREER COUNSELING

• MENTORING AND SUPPORT

• CLASSROOM-BASED INSTRUCTION ON TOPICS SUCH AS INTERVIEW SKILLS & FINANCIAL LITERACY

• SCIENCE-RELATED FIELD TRIPS

• 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.

“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.

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.

“The Ponitz Pipeline breaks down these barriers to ensure students have the tools and preparation necessary to be successful in college or their career and become the best allied health professionals they can be,” said Wilson, who in addition to being the Pipeline coordinator is an admissions counselor for the occupational therapy doctoral program at Kettering College. “We often hear students say, ‘I’m so happy to have a mentor, to have someone to talk to when I’m lost or need encouragement.’ That’s what this program is all about — eliminating barriers to students’ success in high school and beyond.”

Bradley said he hopes to support the next generation of Ponitz students while he pursues his college degree and a career in respiratory care.

“Everyone in the Ponitz Pipeline Program wants to see you succeed and is just as involved in the college experience as you are,” Bradley said. “I plan on being a speaker for the Ponitz Pipeline so I can help enlighten young high school students who want to continue their education further.”

A new fund established by Kettering Health Network’s former chief executive officer and his wife provides financial assistance to Ponitz Pipeline participants who attend Kettering College and need help with non-tuition expenses. Awards from the Carmen and Frank Perez Fund can mean the difference between a student graduating or dropping out because of financial concerns related to paying for books, uniforms, rent, groceries, or other necessities.

Frank Perez, Kettering Health Network's chief executive officer from 1992-2011, was a proponent of the Pipeline when it was established in 2008.

To make a gift to the Ponitz Pipeline, call 937-395-8607.

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