By: Heather Alwine Eracleous

Yenna Nelson, recent graduate of the Medical Assisting program and former participant of TRiO, found motivation from her children. 

Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Nelson came to Fort Wayne 27 years ago.  After raising four children, she wanted something more for herself and chose to pursue an education in Medical Assisting. 

Choosing Ivy Tech Community College because of its proximity to home, Nelson’s classes started out a bit more difficult than anticipated. It was her children who pushed her to succeed.  Tutoring her, challenging her, and pushing her to not only pass her classes but excel beyond what she could have imagined. 

Inspired to succeed, Nelson found that Ivy Tech offered multiple services for students, encouraging academic success.  “I took advantage of everything that was available to me,” explained Nelson, “I am just in awe of what I have learned at Ivy Tech.”

One of the services that Nelson found exceptionally beneficial were Video Interactive Learning Objects (VILOs). These VILOs are available to students in the School of Health Sciences and the School of Technology.  Easily viewed from the comfort of your own home, the VILOs gave Nelson the opportunity to review the lessons repeatedly until they were committed to memory.

Nelson recalls carrying her 13-inch television with her all around the house and replaying the VILOs over and over until she had each objective perfected. “I would practice blood pressure checks on my kids. Everyone played a part in my success,” she fondly explained.

Nelson is one of the many Ivy Tech success stories that our instructors are proud to promote. Patty Ley, former Adjunct Instructor in Medical Assisting and current Lead Videographer stated, “Yenna has grown as a person so much since I first met her.” 

Ley believes that Nelson is an inspiration and that her ambition and desire are going to provide her with a bright future.