Potential and Possibility

Standing at the starting line of anything in life can be scary. Just ask Miyoshy Stallings. She stood at the NCC starting line as an adult learner, mother of three, and full-time worker hoping to take classes as a part-time student. Then, opportunities began to pop up.  

Stallings learned about NCC’s Reibman Hall Children’s Center and received a CCAMPIS grant to enroll her youngest daughter, then 3, at the preschool there, which allowed her to take a full course load. When Stallings didn’t have access to reliable transportation, the KEYS program provided a monthly bus pass, so, she could still make it to class. The program also helped out with a utility bill when she fell behind on payments.  

That kind of support, Stallings says, is why she chose NCC to begin her education. It also removed practical barriers, allowing her to focus on her academic goals.  

“In the beginning, I faced significant challenges that shook my confidence,” Stallings says. “Speaking with Betsy [Greer, NCC’s KEYS facilitator] and Janette [Zuk, family success coordinator], who oversees the CCAMPIS grant, was pivotal. Their encouragement and belief in my abilities helped me recognize my potential and gave me confidence.” 

Stallings quickly excelled. Always fascinated by the human mind, she elected to major in psychology with the goal of one day becoming a child psychologist. A job shadow experience at Ascend Counseling Services in Easton helped Stallings narrow her career focus even further to play therapy. 

“I found play therapy fascinating,” Stallings says. “Since my initial goal has always been to become a child psychologist, play therapy felt like a natural fit. It offers children, and even adults, a way to express their emotions and thoughts when they struggle to put them into words.” 

Shadowing Ascend also opened the door to an internship this past spring. As an intern, Stallings accompanied Ascend’s founder and CEO, Moneefah Jackson, on cases and assisted with the agency’s volunteer programs. The experience with Ascend impressed Stallings and gave her a glimpse of the possibilities available to her in the field.  

“[The job shadow] was an incredible experience,” Stallings says. “Ascend is both a woman-owned and Black-owned organization. As a Black woman myself, this deeply inspired me. Another impressive aspect is their multifaceted approach – they provide counseling not only to individuals but to families and children.”  

Stallings admits that she didn’t have high academic expectations back on that starting line. Now, she’s graduated as a Dean’s List student, member of Psi Beta, the community college national honor society in psychology, and member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for community college students. 

“I did not think someone of my age would attain honors status, let alone be able to join [honor societies], but I am ecstatic that I have had the opportunity to do so.” 

Stallings has been accepted to Arcadia University, where she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology.