Bound for UofL: New ECTC grad manages illness, guardianship

For ECTC student Nakeira Steele, earning her Associate in Arts is about more than just the degree. It’s about moving to that next step to become a medical social worker caring for  epidemiology patients.

“I feel like it’s my calling and where I need to be,” she said.  

Steele has sickle cell disease and believes that her experience on that medical journey will provide a unique perspective in her future career. She will continue her education at the University of Louisville. She chose UofL because of its proximity to her doctors. As a sickle cell patient, Steele must travel to Louisville every four weeks to undergo apheresis blood exchanges.

“It’s like a transfusion but more intense,” she said. “Sickle cell is a lifelong condition that I’ve had to manage since I was a kid.”  

As a mostly online student, Steele was able to have flexibility not only for her medical treatments, but also to parent her 3-year-old niece, whom she has cared for since she was a newborn. That and working in the college’s nursing program office has meant that staying on track has been difficult at times, but overcoming those obstacles has created a sense of pride. 

“I’m proud that I showed up,” Steel said. “I’m proud that I completed school while being a full-time mom and that I put my best foot forward.”

ECTC has become a place Steele could count on. Assistance from her professors, along with the college’s support services like the Student Success Hub, tutoring and Family Scholar House, ensured she could achieve her goals.

“I loved being an ECTC student, and I don’t really want to leave,” Steele said. “The classes are so good, the professors are easy to talk to, and there are so many resources to help.”

The ECTC Foundation’s new Going Pro Fund helped Steele with transportation – the lack of which could have derailed her progress. The fund covered the cost of driving school and obtaining a license. Plus, she was gifted a car that was donated to the college.

“I’m so appreciative of what’s been given to me,” she said. “The support system I’ve had, both with ECTC and my family, has helped me navigate through college and made sure I was able to succeed.”