Ann Marie Fowler will admit she’s on cloud nine – especially after receiving her associate of applied science degree from Meridian Community College in early May. 

Not only does she have her degree, she’s also has a job waiting on her in Newport News, Va., with the country’s largest military shipbuilding company.

“I started out doing this for my son. He didn’t want me bartending anymore.” I said, ‘Fine. I’ll get my GED,’” Fowler said.

So, she turned to MCC’s Adult Education and its programs and services.

“I am 47 years old. I got my GED two years ago and with the help of the MI-BEST Program, I got the opportunity to go to college. Crazy, right?”

Mississippi Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training Program (MI-BEST) quickly teaches students literacy, work and college-readiness skills so they can move through school and into living wage jobs faster.

Meridian Community College is one of the community colleges that offers the MI-BEST program. Specifically, Mi-BEST’s mission is to increase the rate of adult basic education students entering into and succeeding in post-secondary education programs that ultimately lead to self-sufficient family wages.

“There’s so much support in this program, so much opportunity – just handed to you. And why not try?” she said.

With a love of drawing and a helping hand from MCC Adult Basic Education staffers, Fowler enrolled in the 3D CAD Engineering Technology. Stuart Brown is the instructor and coordinator of the program. She also followed family lines into the field; her son graduated from the College in the same program six years ago.

“I was afraid at first until I meet Mr. Brown and I knew it was going to be okay,” she said in remembering her initial entry into the program. “I don’t know if I would have been able to finish with someone else. He made it where I wanted to go to school, wanted to learn. He is one special teacher,” she said.

MCC’s 3D Engineering Technology Program prepares students to enter the engineering, construction and manufacturing fields. Drafting technicians translate the ideas of the engineer or architect into drawings, which are the basic means of communication in industry. Upon completion of the drafting program, graduates are able to enter industry and assume higher levels of responsibility.

Through Brown’s contacts with industry officials, Fowler and two of her 3D Engineering Technology Program classmates in the program flew to Virginia to interview for potential drafting technician positions. “I’m on cloud nine, 10, 12, right now,” Fowler said because she excited about her job as a designer I in Newport News, Va., with Huntington Ingles Industries that starts at the end of June. And MCC MI-BEST and Adult Education staffers also offered a helping hand in preparing her for the job interview – including preparing a snack bag for the airplane trip to Virginia.

“I’m thankful for what Meridian has given me,” Fowler said, noting she came to this area because she wanted to be near her son.

Asked what she would say to encourage others to return to school, Fowler said, “You’re never too old.”