Alice Russell knows what it's like to climb the ladder of career success.

In about a year, the Jackson County woman has gone from simply working at the front desk of the London ophthalmology practice of Drs. Mark and James Huffman, to grinding lenses for glasses and working one-on-one with patients. She will soon even assist the doctors during minor eye surgeries. The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program helped Alice as she completed her college education and began that upward journey.

Alice had already completed two semesters of classes at Somerset Community College's London Campus when a friend suggested she check out the WIA Program. The program is administered by the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP) and delivered in Jackson County by the Daniel Boone Development Council.

WIA Case Manager Susan Patton helped Alice obtain supportive services funding through the WIA that covered her college-related transportation costs. Alice had to keep a job as she attended college, and that funding had an immediate impact.

"Before, I had to work longer hours so I could have gas and food money," Alice said. "Once I got in the program, I could work less hours, stay home and study more. It definitely paid off when my grades got better."

Alice graduated in May 2003 with an associate's degree in applied technology. She began working at Huffman and Huffman, P.C.S. soon after. Alice is glad for the financial boost the WIA provided her as she completed her college work and began a skilled and rewarding career.

"I feel like I'm depended on here, and I'm not just a person who works the front desk," Alice said. "They use me for lots of different things, and that gives me a lot of self confidence."