Northwest Adult Ed graduate succeeds due to supportive team of educators

By Sarah Smith, NWCC

Aug 15, 2024- Northwest Mississippi Community College’s recent adult ed graduate, Zach Dalton of Coldwater, is beginning his first college class on Aug. 19 as a welding student after turning around his life due to a support system who saw him through the changes.

Growing up the son of a welder, Dalton saw his father work in welding throughout his childhood, which influenced him to go into that field himself. Dalton is a family man, married in 2021 to his love, Destiny Dalton, and he has two children, Mia Starr and Dakota.

Despite current happiness and success, Dalton notes that his journey had a few bumps along the way. He said he always was a young playful man and wasn’t the best student in high school and eventually aged out without graduating. He remembered a teacher who was at Coldwater High School where he attended, Jennifer Williams, now director of Adult Education at Northwest. She was a large reason he persisted in the program. He said he first attempted to enter the Adult Education program in October of 2016 but wasn’t mature enough at the time to continue.

Dalton said after his initial unemployment a little over a year ago, he tried to find a job, but he came to the realization that to find employment he would have to get his education. This push led him back to the connection with Williams, so with a different perspective from being a married man and father, he decided to pursue education fully.

“One thing that made me want to keep going is Mrs. Williams and my mom, because they wanted me to succeed,” Dalton said.

In 2024, his mom, Teresa Holt, encouraged him to continue and decided to join him. They started the program together, and she is still continuing her Adult Education studies.

“I was Zach’s instructor when he began classes, and I was very glad to see him return and complete our program,” said Williams. “He is a success for our program because of all the hard work he has done through the years and coming back and completing. When he returned the last time, he told me he was going to complete this time and become a graduate.”

After completing his high school equivalency (HSE), Dalton was still having difficulty looking for a job after his stint of unemployment. Dalton enrolled in the WIOA Gateway Out of School Youth Program shortly after re-enrolling in the Adult Education program before receiving his diploma. He also earned a bronze-level ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate. This credential measures and certifies the essential work skills needed for success in jobs across industries and occupations.

Dalton completed a work experience opportunity through the Youth Program and was later hired by Northwest Supervisor of Grounds Len Lawhon as a permanent grounds crew team member. This fall he will also be enrolled at Northwest in the evening welding program. When he completes the one-year program he will receive a Career Certificate in welding and cutting.

As a testament to the Adult Education program and due to persistence and hard work, Dalton finished his HSE in February and participated in the spring Adult Education Commencement in May.

“It is never too late to get your diploma because we have students whose ages range from 16 to 70,” Williams said. “Friends and family members are always encouraging each other to complete their HSE when they attend class together.”

If you’d like to learn more about Adult Education at Northwest please visit, https://www.northwestms.edu/programs/adult-education