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Basic Skills Program: McKenzie Umphlett

home icon>COA Success Stories>Basic Skills Program: McKenzie Umphlett

January 27, 2019

Basic Skills Program

Read our student success story about McKenzie Umphlett, a graduate of College of The Albemarle’s (COA) basic skills program.

McKenzie Umphlett enrolled in COA’s College and Career Readiness program (formerly Basic and Transitional Studies) in July 2017. What sets Umphlett apart from other students is her ability to listen and to delve into a topic until she is satisfied with her level of understanding. A rare trait for a 17 year old.

Umphlett never rests on yesterday’s achievements. She has taken advantage of every opportunity afforded to her, both internal in the college and through our partnerships with external stakeholders. Internally, she participated in the Basic Skills Plus program while earning her High School Equivalency and earning an “A” in COA’s curriculum College Student Success class. She yearned to understand more math and science. She enrolled in chemistry and biology to increase her level of knowledge to gain access to a degree program in the college of her choice.

Externally, Umphlett is active in the Northeastern Workforce Development Board (NWDB) NC Works NextGen program. In partnership with COA, NextGen provided wrap-around services to Umphlett, including supportive services needed to obtain her High School Equivalency, leadership and work readiness development and an 800-hour paid work experience with a local business. She also completed “Working Smart — Soft Skills for Workplace Success,” a free 16-lesson course offered by NWDB to COA’s College and Career Readiness students and the general public. She was also selected to attend the Annual North Carolina Youth Summit in April 2018 with NextGen.

Umphlett is currently enrolled as a college student at COA, with plans to transfer to North Carolina State University. Her goal is to study international affairs with a long-term goal of attending law school.

Umphlett is benefiting from the braided funding of financial aid and NextGen assisting in her in these educational endeavors. We are confident she will achieve any goal she sets.