Megan Sammons’ dream of becoming a sonograph technician was supported by her family, her friends, and — when she needed it most — the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

Megan, 24, of Louisa, had earned athletic and academic scholarships to Morehead State University. She did well with her studies but when she began commuting to hospitals in Richmond and Georgetown for the clinical assignments she needed to complete her bachelor’s degree in sonography, she found commuting to be too difficult.

Megan moved off campus to be closer to the clinical assignments, but that caused her to lose a large portion of her scholarships.  Even working on weekends at a doctor’s office, Megan found herself having a hard time meeting her living and school expenses.

Fortunately, a friend told Megan about the services available through the WIA program, administered in 23 counties by the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP) and provided locally by the Northeast Kentucky Community Action Agency, (NKCAA). Megan met with WIA Global Career Development Facilitator Bonnie Conn, who told her she could get aid with tuition, transportation, state testing and other expenses.

“Bonnie was very supportive and very helpful. Any little thing she could help me with, she did,” Megan said, smiling.

The extra help from WIA made Megan’s remaining years of school “a lot less stressful,” she said.  She graduated in July and took a job at Norton Hospital Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists in Louisville. Megan loves her job and says she likes to be there to comfort or support the families who come into the high-risk clinic.

Bonnie was glad to help Megan and said she was impressed with her determination.

“She knew what she wanted and was dedicated to her success,” Bonnie said.

Megan said she would recommend WIA services to anyone whose college dreams might be imperiled by financial setbacks.

“It was a very big comfort knowing they understood and were trying to help,” Megan said.

The NKCAA office in Louisa is an access point for the JobSight network. JobSight is a collaborative partnership of workforce and training agencies administered by the EKCEP throughout its 23-county service area.

For more information on Workforce Investment Act services available in Carter, Elliot and Lawrence counties, contact Bonnie Conn at 606-638-4949. Or visit http://www.ekcep.org or http://www.facebook.com/ekcep.