Blantyre, Malawi to Hollyhill, Florida to the Muhlenberg Job Corps center in Greenville, Kentucky was the path student Phillip Kumitsonyo traveled to enroll  in the Job Corps program.  Phillip is not your traditional student by any means.  The national average length of stay of a Job Corps graduate is about twelve months.  Phillip has been at Muhlenberg for two years and two months.  During that time he has completed his GED, two trades (Construction Equipment Mechanics and Medical Office Support) and twenty four college hours at the Madisonville Community College in Madisonville, Kentucky where he maintained a 3.0 average.

Phillip says he joined Job Corps to, “Obtain an education and the skills needed to allow me the opportunity to gain employment and attend college.”  His goal of becoming a college student became a reality while at Muhlenberg, but the dream got even bigger when Phillip found out he had been accepted to Northern Kentucky University in Newport, Kentucky to study Journalism.  Phillip said, “Without entering the Job Corps program, attending college would have only been a dream, now it is a dream come true!”

Phillip, a twenty three year old, who enjoys running and lifting weights has been a great student to have on campus.  He said the program enabled him to make new friends from all over the United States and presented him with educational opportunities he otherwise could not have enjoyed.  He states he has enjoyed getting to know students from all walks in life and has really enjoyed working with the accommodating staff at Muhlenberg.

Phillip’s advice to current and future Job Corps students is, “Come to Job Corps with a plan, stay positive and focused until you reach your goals and then move to the next level, whether that includes college, employment or the military.”  Phillip is a great example of what can be accomplished in the Job Corps program if only you put your heart, mind and soul into the experience.