Kendra Finds the Confidence to Begin Again 

For Kendra, Illinois Central College has been part of her story for more than a decade. 

After graduating from high school, she enrolled at ICC because it offered an affordable path toward a career in healthcare close to home. She earned her Certified Nursing Assistant credential, but like many students, life took her in a different direction before she could continue her education. 

Years later, the dream of becoming a nurse was still there. Kendra made the decision to return to ICC and begin completing the prerequisites needed for the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program. Returning to the classroom as an adult student wasn’t always easy, but the supportive environment at ICC helped her rediscover something she had almost forgotten: confidence in herself. 

My experience at ICC taught me that I am capable of achieving goals that once felt out of reach. 

Kendra, LPN student

That confidence continued to grow throughout the Nursing program, especially through the encouragement of her instructors. One moment stands out above the rest. 

During a time when Kendra questioned whether she was capable of becoming a nurse, Professor Punke reminded her why she belonged. 

“She told me she would be proud to have me as her nurse someday.” 

Those words became a turning point, giving Kendra the reassurance and motivation she needed to keep moving forward. 

ICC also prepared her beyond the classroom. Through the college’s partnership with Carle Health and the LPN Apprenticeship Program, she gained valuable hands-on experience caring for patients while building the clinical skills and confidence needed for her career. 

Today, at 35 years old, Kendra is completing her LPN certificate and already looking ahead. She plans to continue her education through ICC’s Healthcare Professional to RN bridge program with the goal of becoming a nephrology nurse, inspired by her experience working as a dialysis technician. 

Looking back, Kendra hopes others realize that success doesn’t have to follow a traditional timeline. 

“You may step away for a while, but your dream doesn’t have to stay there. With determination, support, and people who believe in you, it’s always possible to come back and keep moving forward.” 

For Kendra, ICC wasn’t just where her journey began. It became the place that welcomed her back and helped her continue writing the next chapter of her story.