Student Story: Keion Stella

"The thing that I enjoy the most about going to Ivy Bridge is that someone always has your back. Coming from the background that I come from, that has not always been the case. I learned my skills on my own for the most part which made a lot of things tough that did not have to be. The way that Ivy Bridge is set up, I think that I will never have to go through that again.”

Hello, my name is Keion L. Stella. I’m originally from Roanoke, Alabama, but now I reside in Warren, Ohio. I come from a single parent home (which is becoming more common now) but I take everything I learned from my mother with me every day. I have five brothers (I am next to the youngest) but I am the only one who finished school. Since I graduated, they have all gone back to get their G.E.D. but so far it looks as if I will the first one to graduate college as well.

I am a proud father of my son Keion II, and my whole life is dedicated to giving him a great life. At this time, I am employed by the United Methodist Community Center. My title there is Program Advocate. My job duties include mentoring troubled youth, job readiness training for ex-offenders, truancy officer, counselor, and friend to all the people I come in contact with. I have been working in these programs for five years and I enjoy every day that I work with these people. I learn a lot of things from them that are beneficial to me, as I am sure they learn a lot from me.

I decided to come to school here at Ivy Bridge to strengthen my skills and take that next step in life. I found Ivy Bridge online and they seemed to have contacted me five minutes after submitting my information. I chose this school because from the first phone conversation with an employee there, I felt so welcome. The conversation with the advisor was so genuine and made me feel secure about this school.

Since enrolling at Ivy Bridge, everyone has been very helpful. My team that I work with at Ivy Bridge is great. I think I have used every service possible since being here besides the tutoring. They are always there when I need them and seem to always have the answer I need. My success coach, Mallory Huffman, has been right on point for me. She always seems to call when I need to talk the most. She has helped me through some tough times and is a joy to work with.

The thing that I enjoy the most about going to Ivy Bridge is that someone always has your back. Coming from the background that I come from, that has not always been the case. I learned my skills on my own for the most part which made a lot of things tough that did not have to be. The way that Ivy Bridge is set up, I think that I will never have to go through that again. It has an overall great support system there and that makes the difference for me.

This has just been an overall great experience for me and I am so glad that I chose this school to further my education with. I already tell everyone that I come in contact with about life here at Ivy Bridge and try to encourage everyone to attend. It just has been that great here for me and I want it to touch everyone’s life as it has touched mine. I am very sure that after graduating from Ivy Bridge I will have all the necessary tools to prosper in life. I intend on joining Tiffin after graduating and furthering my education.

Keion is a current student in Ivy Bridge College's associate degree program.