GREAT Awards
James M. Kelly
James M. Kelly is a graduate of the Norwood, Ohio Campus - ITT Technical Institute.
James received an Associate’s Degree of Information Technology- Software Applications
and Programming.
A non-traditional student who worked and attended school full time, James faced
significant obstacles in completing his education. While halfway through with his degree
requirements, James was deployed with the Kentucky National Guard for Operation Iraqi
Freedom, and served from December 2002 - December 2003. However, when he
returned to the U.S., he resumed his studies at Norwood ITT Tech, and graduated in
September, 2004.
Neither his busy academic and professional schedule, his military service, nor the birth of
his daughter in 2004 impeded James’ academic progress. James earned nearly a 4.0
Grade Point Average and created a customized database for student surveys at Norwood
ITT Tech as a team Capstone Project. He is currently employed as a Survey Programmer
and Scripter at IPSOS-ASI.
James M. Kelly’s accomplishments as a student, employee, father, and veteran are
deserving of the highest praise.
GREAT Awards
Jessi Combs
Jessica Combs clearly pushes herself to go where few others have gone before. This
explains Jessi’s decision to decline a scholarship to a prestigious interior design school to
attend WyoTech to pursue a career in automobile customizing, a field heavily dominated
by her male colleagues. She just wanted a challenge.
Jessi did not let gender disadvantage her in her training. If anything, she was just
motivated to work harder. She spent much of her free time at school, studying, helping
others, and volunteering her time and skill. Her dedication showed, as she earned top
grades and an academic scholarship. She graduated with a Diploma in Collision/
Refinishing with Specialty Auto Fabrication and Upholstery.
After graduation, Jessi was hired by WyoTech to build a custom car that would represent
the school at SEMA, one of the premier world automotive trade shows. As per Jessi’s
usual style, the car was successfully completed before the show. She also was given the
unique opportunity to participate in the Overhaulin’ build team on two television
episodes.
The work on Overhaulin’ sparked a new passion for Jessi in television production. When
RTM Productions advertised for a co-host on Xtreme 4x4, an automobile building series
on Spike Television, Jessi rose to the challenge. Although she was the only woman to
audition, this proved no obstacle -- she got the job.
Jessi’s never lets challenges or stereotypes interfere with her dreams. She truly lives by
her motto, “It’s not how big you are in the fight, it’s how big the fight is in you.”
GREAT Awards
Terry Whalen
Terry Whalen grew up in an impoverished background. She then lived in an abandoned
car as a teenage high school dropout. She married young and had three children. In short
order, her husband was treated for a deadly cancer and her firstborn son was diagnosed
with juvenile diabetes. It was up to Terry to turn her life around and support her family.
Terry saw education as a way out of her adversity. She completed her GED requirements
and enrolled in the Business Institute of Pennsylvania in Sharon, PA. She was an
extremely hard worker, encouraged her peers, and remained optimistic.
Upon graduating with an Associate Degree in Health Information Technology, Terry
obtained a position with Primary Health Systems, a large multi-specialty government
subsidized medical practice. She has since been promoted and currently holds a
management position in the billing department. Although Terry has achieved her goal of
an education and means to support her family, she continues to persevere.
Terry Whalen has shown that there are no obstacles too large to obtaining an education
and succeeding in life.
GREAT Awards
Hollie Estrada
Hollie Estrada earned her Associate of Science Degree in Aviation Maintenance
Technology from San Joaquin Valley College in September 2004. She also received a
Certificate of Completion required by the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) and
earned an FAA Airframe and Powerplant Technician’s license.
When Hollie first applied to the Aviation Maintenance Program, Director Bob Loogman
was skeptical about admitting this 25-year-old single mother with three young children
and no prior mechanical experience. In addition, the FAA required 100% attendance for
an 8 hour a day, 16 month program, and Hollie had a 113 mile one-way commute which
required her to leave the house with her 3 children at 5:00 am daily. However, Hollie
requested and received the chance to achieve her dream and career success.
Although the odds were stacked against her, Hollie completed the program with a 3.8
GPA and near perfect attendance. Immediately after graduation, she gained employment
at Hot Section Technologies, an FAA approved repair station for turbine jet engines.
Hollie’s tenacity allowed her to change her life and the lives of her children. She
continues to excel and work towards her goals.
GREAT Awards
Alexandra Vidal
Alexandra Vidal is one of the hottest young fashion designers in the world. As President
and Chief Designer of Alexandra Vidal Designs, she manages all aspects of her growing
business, including pattern-making, fabric selection and sales.
Alexandra began her study of fashion at the Miami International University of Art and
Design. She graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree in Fashion Design, with honors,
and won the award for “Best in Fashion Design.” She also represented Miami
International University at the Air France International Young Designers Competition at
the Louvre Museum and won the prestigious award for Best Design in the United States.
She also participated in a Fashion Design Program at the Paris Fashion Institute. Finally,
she obtained invaluable field experience during internships with Parisian designer Loanna
Haseltime, and at Tail, a Miami-based athletic fashion house.
Alexandra can currently be seen as a contestant on Bravo’s “Project Runway,” where she
competes against 11 other designers for her own fashion show in New York’s Bryant
Park. Her cocktail and ready-to-wear collections can also be found in some of the
trendiest boutiques in the United States.
Alexandra took a passion for fashion and transformed it into a successful career.
Alexandra possesses considerable talent and experience as she continues to excel and
grow in her profession.
GREAT Awards
Rory Greenway
Rory Greenway graduated with honors from the ITT Technical Institute Online Program
with a Bachelor of Science in Technical Project Management, with a 3.7 GPA.
Upon graduation in December, 2004, Rory obtained a position as a Computer Specialist
and Web Developer for the Manti- LaSal National Forest. He has already received a
Merit Award for his accomplishments.
While these accomplishments are commendable, Rory’s achievements are especially
noteworthy since he is legally blind. While being legally blind might create obstacles for
a student, Rory’s impediments were multiplied by his taking all his courses online.
However, Rory does not see being legally blind as a disability, and refused to let these
obstacles stand in the way of his dreams.
Rory’s positive attitude and strong work ethic will make him successful as he continues
to enhance his career. Additionally, Rory seeks to be a role model to all other legally
blind students in online education. When facing obstacles, Rory would spend valuable
time finding solutions. He says, “I’m not concerned with how this affects me. What I’m
concerned about is that we find a way to assist future students who are in my situation
when they encounter this issue.”
GREAT Awards
Andres Rojas
Andres Rojas graduated from Florida Metropolitan University in April 2004 with a
Masters Degree in Business Administration. He currently serves as an Assistant Vice
President and Business Development Officer for the North Pinellas, Florida, regional
center of Bank of America, where he develops business and sales strategies for a region
composed of 30 banking centers. Andres is also President of the Diversity Network at
Bank of America.
Andres immigrated to the United States from Colombia at age 17 with a dream of
obtaining higher education in the U.S. However, he lacked both money and the ability to
speak English. Andres did not let these impediments or the fact that he was missing most
of his left hand interfere with his goals. He obtained a job cleaning bathrooms, washing
dishes and shoveling snow at a restaurant in Kansas and enrolled in a community college.
He then moved to Florida and obtained an Associates Degree in Business Administration
at Hillsborough Community College.
With one degree in hand, Andres continued working for his education. He started work
as a bank teller to gain business experience. He then obtained a position at Bank of
America and enrolled in the Bachelors Degree program for Business Administration at
Florida Metropolitan University. While Andres climbed up professional ranks at Bank of
America, he continued pursuing his educational dreams and obtained an M.B.A. from
Florida Metropolitan University. Bank of America helped him pursue these educational
goals with partial tuition reimbursement.
Upon completing his M.B.A., Andres said “It was tough, but I made it… and I am ready
for my next quest.” And his next quest is a big one; he is starting a Doctoral program in
Business Administration at Argosy University this year.