I'm going to make my dream come true because I am taking responsibility for my future, and I honestly think that's what the ACE Program taught me.

Achieving a College Education

Arika Mangum

Arika Mangum's dream of becoming a physician is on its way to becoming a reality! "I'm going to make my dream come true because I am taking responsibility for my future, and I honestly think that's what the ACE Program taught me."

"I always thought I would go to an in-state university but ACE has given me the direction and confidence to attend an out of state medical school where I'll prepare to be either a specialty surgeon or an emergency room physician," says Arika.

A senior in high school with a 4.4 GPA, Arika convinced her younger sister to join the ACE Program also. "It's an easy choice, you give yourself a head start in college - in life really - and you are helping yourself toward a better future. Seeing how happy I've been in the program and what a smart move it was for me, was all the motivation she needed to apply for the program too."

"I'm the first in my family to attend college and I've encouraged my mom to go back to school. It has really been a significant impact in my family seeing me attend college through ACE. I think it's the best think I've done. The support that my family has given me during the last two years has been tremendous, and just the simple fact that the program has paid for so many college credits has really helped us out."

Arika's enthusiasm about ACE has caused her to become an advocate for the program. "I tell every high school sophomore that I come in contact with, to apply for the program because they won't regret it. And now, kids that I don't even know, come to me with lots of questions about ACE."