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| Thanks to instruction and guidance from SCC’s Educational Opportunities department, Gifty Mansah of Cullowhee is now enrolled in college-level classes and is pursuing her associate degree in human services technology. |
When Gifty Mansah arrived in Western North Carolina in 2013, her English was – as she put it – “not good.”
Originally from Ghana in West Africa, Mansah had moved to Florida with her family when she was 13. She graduated from an Orlando high school in 2007, but her struggles with the English language were holding her back from achieving her educational and career goals.
So shortly after moving to Western North Carolina in 2013, she enrolled in English as a Second Language classes through Southwestern Community College’s Educational Opportunities department.
“My native language was Twi (pronounced “Twee”), and I spoke a slang language,” said Mansah, who lives in Cullowhee. “But my comprehension of English wasn’t good. ... When I would say something, I could not say it right; I couldn’t express myself. And I did not understand what I was reading until I came through the program. Now there’s nothing I can’t read and understand.
“The ESL program helped me a lot,” she added. “The teachers understood where I was coming from and helped me out. The teachers here are more like family. They take time one-on-one to explain the details and assignments.”
Thanks to her head start in developmental classes, Mansah is now taking college-level classes and working toward her goals of earning an associate degree in human services technology.
She later hopes to transfer to Western Carolina University and pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work.
“Developmental classes serve as a bridge to help an under-prepared student become successful in college classes,” said Amy Russ, developmental reading and English lead instructor at SCC. “Classes offer practice and support in reading, writing, and math. Gifty attended developmental classes to get a strong foundation in writing and math and is now being successful in college credit courses. Gifty has been patient with the learning process and hasn't given up along the way even when assignments seem tedious. Her faithful attendance and positive attitude will make her successful in college and in her career.”
Upon graduating from ESL, Mansah moved to a foundational literacy class that’s designed to help students overcome gaps in their reading or basic writing skills.
“After Gifty graduated from ESL, I decided it was time for her to spread her wings and fly some on her own,” recalled Patricia Graham, a linguist, ESL instructor and reading specialist at SCC. “I moved her to the foundations class in preparation for regular college classes. I have to admit she balked at first, which is natural. She was a little scared of the unknown and really had no support system in place outside the college. I let her know I would be with her all the way. Gifty is now preparing to graduate from foundations as well. This class will always be there for her as a support system if she needs any moral support. Gifty has blossomed and has gone way beyond my expectations. She has taken flight and nothing can hold her back now.”
In partnership with SCC, multiple agencies have aided Mansah along the way.
Mansah said Pathways to Employment paid to help her finish a college placement class, and Employment Lab helped her get a job as a CNA at Mountain Trace Nursing Home while she continues her education.
All of her hard work in developmental classes – and the support from her Educational Opportunities instructors – are paying off.
“The college-level classes were a challenge at first,” Mansah said. “My biggest fear was my writing skills, but I am now more confident. I’m not scared; I’m more free.”
For more information about Educational Opportunities at SCC, contact Debbie Smith at 828.339.4361 or d_smith@southwesterncc.edu.
