Breaking barriers, building futures: MCTC student ‘goes pro’
Published on May 28, 2025
By Rachel Adkins
Throughout April, May, and June, Maysville Community and Technical College will feature
12 students who graduated in May 2025 and have committed to high-demand careers.
This is a Going Pro initiative, which strives to bring awareness to the possibilities unlocked as a traditional-age college student with little to no experience in the workforce.
With many different programs offered at MCTC, prospective students can enter the workforce right after finishing their credentials.
Thalia Acevedo, 25, is a student of the Maysville Campus Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program. After enrolling at MCTC right after high school, she got pregnant with her son, leading to a break in her student life.
Acevedo re-enrolled in 2023 after deciding she wanted to live a better life for her son.
“The reason why I came back was because of my son. The more he grew up in life, I didn’t want to be stuck in retail forever. I needed to do something for him,” she remarked.
As a May 2025 graduate, Acevedo now holds an associate in applied science with a focus in MLT and has secured a job with Harrison Memorial Hospital in Cynthiana.
She discussed why she chose MCTC.
“It’s close to home…they help me with financial aid, so that helps out big with my son too,” Acevedo said. She noted that she would have been in debt if she had gone anywhere else for her continued education.
Acevedo’s supervisor at Harrison Memorial Hospital, Anchalee Steele, remarked on the organization’s relationship with MCTC.
“Our relationship with the school has been good and I encourage it because I used to teach and I know the value of getting students, because we need the help. We don't have any feeder programs anymore,” Steele said. “MCTC…gives us the opportunity to grow the students, because everybody starts out as a student. They need a chance, and we want to give them a chance.”
At MCTC, there are many opportunities available for those who are seeking a better life for themselves and their families.
Acevedo’s story reflects where you can go in life after completing your credentials, even after taking a break when life happens.
