Fostering Conversations

After Angelica Mosqueda’s mother passed away, she struggled with traditional high school, finding it difficult to find her focus. Knowing she’d need her diploma to achieve her academic and career goals, she turned to Penn Foster to help her get back on track at her own pace. “I was always advanced when it came to school, so when I was registering with Penn Foster, I figured the High School with Ea...

My Brother's Workshop assists at-risk youth with becoming positive members of society through mentoring, training, education, and job placement. Students learn a trade while working towards their High School Diploma with Penn Foster. "I think [our partnership] is important because some of our young people...They don't feel comfortable in a conventional setting and I think we provide a safe space f...

Brianna Jones has been named one of our Graduate of the Year finalists. Brianna was working in the restaurant industry, but once she became pregnant with her son she knew it was time for a change. That's when she enrolled in our online Pharmacy Technician Career Diploma Program. "I don't think I could have done it without Penn Foster in any form or fashion," she said. "I haven't found another scho...

Julia Kahan has been named one of our Graduate of the Year finalists. While working as an orthopedic surgeon, Julia and a patient discussed their mutual love of animals. That’s when her patient told her about our online Veterinary Technician Associate Degree Program. Julia took a leap and enrolled. "From the beginning I was hooked," she said. "I couldn't believe it. It was perfect for me." Working...

Dontay Long has been named one of our Graduate of the Year finalists. After dropping out of high school in eleventh grade, Dontay said he had less opportunities. That's when he decided to enroll in our online High School Diploma Program. "I wanted to move up... I decided not having a high school diploma really sets you back," he said. "Penn Foster offered the best program and I put my time and ded...

Amanda Boucher has been named one of our Graduate of the Year finalists. Working in the field, Amanda had experience but lacked credentials. That's when she decided to enroll in our Medical Billing and Coding Career Diploma Program. Amanda enjoyed the flexibility of an online program. "As soon as I was ready, Penn Foster was ready," she said. Once she graduated, Amanda received a raise at work and...

Monelle Alexis has been named one of our Graduate of the Year finalists. With a background in communications, Monelle believed a degree in marketing would be the right next step. She wanted to attend a college that was flexible and affordable and enrolled in Ashworth College's online Marketing Bachelor's Degree Program. "I found Ashworth the perfect marriage between affordability and flexibility a...

Izabella Saurez wanted an education that allowed her flexibility. That’s when she enrolled in our online High School Diploma Program. "For me, personally, the biggest aspect that drew me to an online program was flexibility and the freedom, and I found that to be really valuable in high school," she said. "I was able to enrich a lot of my student experiences with things that I wouldn’t have been a...

John Hunt always wanted to earn a college education. With a family and full-time job, he enrolled in Ashworth College's online, self-paced Construction Management Degree Program. "The school certainly supports you," he said. "The program is designed for people who are working and want to get back to school." Once John graduated from our associate degree program he earned a promotion. "[The program...

Yulanda Edgin, a Walmart associate, found Penn Foster's online Optician Career Diploma Program through our partnership with Guild Education. Working as an optician in Walmart's Vision Center, Yulanda's manager encouraged her to enroll. "There are many advantages with studying and completing program online," she said. "[It's self-paced], you can take your laptop and do the program practically anywh...

When Jana and her son Cason moved, she enrolled him in Penn Foster. A junior, Cason worked through our online High School Diploma program studying at his own pace. "With Penn Foster he can do it any time," said Jana. "That's the best thing about Penn Foster. It's 24 hours, 7 days a week." Cason was able to bring up his grades and easily contacted instructors if he needed help. "What I really enjoy...

Kimberly Quinonez needed a high school diploma to advance her career. That's when she enrolled in Penn Foster. Determined to graduate, Kimberly worked through our online, self-paced High School Diploma program. "I basically kept studying and I never gave up on myself," she said. Kimberly was able to transfer credits, which allowed her to finish the program in two months. "I always dreamed of gradu...

Deneil Christian was working as a police officer when he decided to enroll in Ashworth College. "I wanted to find a more flexible and less stressful approach to earning my degree while working full time," said Deneil. Since enrolling, Deneil has completed our Forensic Science Career Diploma program, an associate degree program, and lastly, our Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree program. He also we...

When the pandemic hit, Lindsay Howard decided to make the most of the circumstances and extra time at home by enrolling in Ashworth College. "I wanted to take my education seriously and make myself more marketable to the job market..." she said. Since then, Lindsay has completed our Computer Information Management Undergraduate Certificate and Computer Information Systems Associate Degree programs...

Severina Jimenez was working at a daycare but had a desire to return to the healthcare field. She found out about Penn Foster from a friend and liked that our programs can be completed at her own pace, and that we offered monthly payment options. That's when she enrolled in our online Dental Assistant Career Diploma program. A mom and full time employee, Severina studied after she put her kids to...

Romaz Charles earned his high school diploma with the support of our partner, The Adecco Group US Foundation. Working at Jabil, Romaz knew a high school diploma would help advance his career. "The [high school diploma] has opened the door for me," he said. "I felt like I accomplished something great and it gave me a lot of opportunity. It gives you more choices." Romaz has also earned his Administ...

Demetria Pruitt wanted a better life for her family but needed a school that would work with her busy schedule. That's when she found Penn Foster's online High School Diploma Program. Our self-paced program helped Demetria have the flexibility she needed to be a mom, help her school aged children with homework, attend to household needs, and more all while working toward her diploma. "The flexibil...

Kimmie Joseph first enrolled with Penn Foster in 2009. Since then, she's completed six programs, most recently completing our IT Support Specialist Career Diploma program in 2020. "There are many advantages of studying a program online," she said. "The fact that I can take my time, make my own schedule, and [have] a career is amazing." Kimmie works as an Technical Support Specialist at Apple and a...

Working as a medical scribe, Lysha wanted to do more in the healthcare field. A single mom, she wanted to show her son how important education is and that it is worth the time and effort you put into it. Lysha graduated from our Medical Assistant Associate Degree program and was promoted to physician's medical assistant and received a raise once she earned her degree. "The things you learn [in the...

Angela Shak says she chased a college degree for 15 years. She knew she wanted to pursue an education, but could not manage climbing the corporate ladder, being a wife, a mom, and attend night school. Looking for a flexible option, she enrolled in Penn Foster. "Penn Foster fit into my crazy life and I was able to work towards completing courses based on my pace," she said. Angela has earned her as...

Eiliana Garcia was working in the dental field and wanted to move up. With experience but no degree, she knew she needed an education to back up her skills. "I decided that I wanted to upgrade myself," said Eiliana. She enrolled in Penn Foster's online Dental Assistant Career Diploma program. A mother of two, attending school online, at her own pace worked for her. After earning her career diploma...

Gabriella McDevitt found a love for early childhood education after helping at her mom's daycare. She recognized a traditional learning environment wouldn't work for her, and enrolled in Penn Foster's online Early Childhood Education Associate Degree program. Now, Gabriella uses what she learned in her studies to improve her classroom, where she works as a lead teacher. "I could not be happier wit...

David Jones wanted to get on career path he enjoyed. That's when he found Penn Foster. Since graduating from our online Associate Degree in Construction Technology in 2014, David was promoted to Construction Services Manager at Greystar where he puts what he learned at Penn Foster into practice every day. "Everything that I learned through school is actually something that I'm doing out in the fie...

Michelle Rainwater was a stay at home wife and mother when she found Penn Foster. Ready for a career, Michelle knew she needed training. Our online, flexible program allowed Michelle to study at her own pace and reach her goals. Since graduating, she's been working as a Licensed Certified Pharmacy Technician at CVS. "I'm proud of everything from making the first phone call, not giving up, and rece...

Kathy Walker always had a love for higher education. Working at the University of Memphis, she had a desire to teach, but lacked the credentials to do so. Kathy enrolled in Penn Foster's online Medical Terminology Certificate program, which allowed her to work full-time while working towards her goals. After graduating, Kathy became an adjunct professor and was then promoted to Assistant Director...