Until recently Jai Winn was an unemployed paralegal in her first year of addiction recovery. Now, thanks to the training she received at Austin Community College, she’s not only changed her career and her life — she’s helping others change theirs.

“ACC gave me back my confidence in my intelligence and abilities,” says Jai. She attributes her success to the one-on-one attention she received from her professors and the opportunity to emerge from her shell and be a leader through ACC’s Student Life Program.

Her advice to anyone contemplating college: “Don’t be afraid to try — even if it’s just one class. And, by all means, ask for help!” When she scored a 47 in her first statistics test, her professor wouldn’t let her give up. Her guidance and study tips helped Jai earn a B in the course.

At ACC students do more than just train for a career. They benefit from experiences that offer a fresh start, build their confidence, and prepare them for a world beyond college. Just like they’ve done for Jai.

Jai earned her certification to become a Peer Support Specialist, but her journey isn’t finished. She was accepted to the Master of Social Work Program at the University of Texas at Arlington. After graduation, she plans to open and manage therapeutic homes for parolees.