Tonya Brown

     Tonya Brown was laid off from Apria Healthcare as a Customer Service Specialist. Apria filed for Trade Status with the US Department of Labor and was certified under the Trade Adjustment Act. Seizing the opportunity to obtain credentials and new work skills, Tonya researched growth occupations that will lead to employment and that offers a salary that would allow her to support her family. With assessments and testing, she ultimately decided that the Dental Hygienist AAS Degree at Lewis and Clark Community College was the right path for her.

     As a former student of the college, Tonya was able to use most of the previous earned credits towards her degree. She was still required to take prerequisite courses related to the Dental Hygienist Degree Program. This delayed her anticipated completion date by an additional semester. This set back didn't discourage her from completing her goal.

     The Dental Hygienist program at Lewis & Clark Community College (LCCC) is a two part program. First the student has to complete the Dental Assisting Certificate program which is a one year program, and secondly, she has to complete an additional year of required curriculum to obtain the Dental Hygienist AAS Degree.

     Tonya was able to complete the training while maintaining a high standard of excellence in her classes. As a student, she achieved academic honors throughout her program and received award recognition for Dental Hygiene Academic Honors. As a mother, she had the ability to multi-task to ensure that her husband and children were priority.

     After completing her training program and graduating from LCCC, she found herself back into the job market equipped with a credential and marketable skills. She completed a short span of job search before she was hired on as a Dental Hygienist at a local Dental Office. 

Today, Tonya Brown is gainfully employed earning nearly double the amount she was earning before being laid off from Apria Healthcare.