Fron Decision to Direction: PLCC Adult Education Student Spotlight
January Spotlight : Dental Assisting Student – Mara Lakins
Choosing to go back to school is a big step—and our adult learners take it with purpose. These spotlights celebrate students who made a clear decision to invest in themselves and found direction through Career Technical Education. CTE offers practical skills, real experience, and a faster path to meaningful work. Their stories show it’s never too late to learn, grow, and build a future you’re proud of.
Mara chose Dental Assisting as her career path because she has experienced many dental procedures herself and wanted to support patients as they go through similar experiences. She believes it’s important to give patients the “confidence to smile again.”
Mara selected PLCC because, as a senior, she toured the school and felt that “everyone was so nice” and that it “just felt comfortable.”
Mara is excited to be working toward a steady job where she can truly excel. She knew she was on the right path when she realized her program is “well organized” and that learning in “an actual dental office” has been a wonderful experience. Since Mara works full-time, she appreciates the class hours offered at PLCC.
She would “highly recommend” PLCC and the Dental Assisting program, sharing that everyone is supportive and the environment is very “calming.” Mara also gave a shout-out to her instructor, Ms. S., and appreciates how hard she works to support students and their learning.
