For Porsha Ingram and her daughter, Shakiya McDonald, South Georgia Technical College has been more than a place to earn credentials. It has become part of a family journey built around education, encouragement and career growth.
Ingram is currently completing the Practical Nursing program at SGTC and is scheduled to graduate in December. McDonald recently completed SGTC’s Phlebotomy program and is now working as a certified phlebotomist at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. She also previously earned a degree in Marketing from SGTC.
The two made the decision to return to South Georgia Tech together and said having one another going through school at the same time helped keep them motivated.
“We just stayed on top of each other, helping each other to push through,” Ingram said.
McDonald said she had to do some of the pushing when her mother began considering nursing. Ingram initially planned to enter the Medical Assisting program but was hesitant about pursuing Practical Nursing.
“I was afraid to try nursing,” Ingram said. “I thought I couldn’t do it, and here I am about to graduate in December.”
McDonald encouraged her mother to take the TEAS exam after seeing how she performed in classes such as anatomy and medical terminology.
“I felt like she was ready,” McDonald said.
Ingram brought considerable healthcare experience with her when she returned to college. She has worked as a certified nursing assistant for approximately 23 years and has also worked with special needs students in the education system. After graduation, she plans to take the licensing examination to become an LPN and continue working with geriatric patients.
Her connection to SGTC goes back much further. Ingram earned her GED through South Georgia Tech in 2007 and later returned to college before health issues forced her to step away. Coming back to finish what she started has made her current experience especially meaningful.
“Coming back to South Georgia Tech has just been phenomenal to me,” Ingram said. “I’m so happy I came back.”
McDonald also credited SGTC instructors with helping her succeed.
“I had great teachers who pushed me and who helped me,” she said. “No matter what I had going on, they just kept me going.”
The family’s SGTC connection may continue. Ingram’s oldest son, Dakavien McDonald, plans to return to South Georgia Tech to study Automotive Technology, while her younger son, Daylan McDonald, is currently a ninth-grade football player at Sumter County High School.
Ingram said the family has encouraged one another to keep working toward their goals.
“We’re all supporting each other, making sure our family makes it to the top,” she said.
For Ingram and McDonald, their experiences at SGTC have allowed them to pursue separate career paths while sharing the same goal of building a better future through education.
South Georgia Technical College is now enrolling students for spring semester. Apply online at ww.southgatech.edu.