Six months after graduating from Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, Havelyn “Mia” Bowens enrolled in the Job Corps program. She was accepted to the Cleveland Job Corps Center (CJCC) and arrived on January 11, 2015. Ms. Bowens completed the Medical Assistant trade and earned credentials in Phlebotomy, Electronic Health Record Specialist and Electrocardiograph Technician. In addition to volunteering at a number community service events, Ms. Bowen was a member of the Poetry and PEARLS clubs.

After completing the Medical Assistant trade Ms. Bowens enrolled in the CJCC Advanced Career Training (ACT) program at Cuyahoga Community College to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene. The Indiana native wrapped up her first semester of college with a 3.75 GPA. In recognition of all her hard work, the Advance Technology Academy at Cuyahoga Community College presented Ms. Bowens with the Excellence Award. Additionally, she also received the Student of the Month and Star Performance awards from the CJCC ACT/OCT Coordinator, Annette Davis.

Ms. Bowen decided to follow in her father’s footsteps and join the military where she plans to continue her education. On January 5, 2015, she attended the swearing-in ceremony and two days later she received a call from the Internal Medicine Department of the Cleveland Clinic for a Medical Assistant position. “I can do nothing but thank God every day,” exclaimed Ms. Bowens. On April 4, 2017, at the age of 19, Ms. Bowens will leave for basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Station where she will study to become a Dental Hygienist. “The military will allow me to build a career while helping me fund my education.” After retiring from the United States Navy, Ms. Bowens plans to become a Dentist and operate her own Dental office.

She encourages students to “Begin with the ending in mind. All the programs here are self-paced, but be prepared for distractions. Learn to maintain your focus, set goals, monitor your goals and earn good Evaluation Student Progress (ESP) scores, and you will be one step closer to your accomplishments. Setting short- and long-term goals is a way to challenge yourself and make your goals.”