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Pursuing his own education has given Neftali Obando a new sense of accomplishment, connection with his children, and optimism for his future.

“I talk to a lot of people who are my age, which is 47, and they seem to have lost hope for their future. They think it’s too late for them to go back, to change their lives,” he said.

“You have to believe. Anything is possible.”

Neftali moved to the Monroe area from New Jersey, and initially he started attending �鶹ԭ�� to earn industry credentials to advance his manufacturing career.

Soon, however, the College and education in general took on new meaning.

“I’m very family-oriented. To me, as long as we keep the family together, everything else make sense,” he said.

Neftali has two children, a son and a daughter, who are studying at Union County Early College. Being in school as the same time as his children has made education a family bonding experience.

His ability to balance providing for his family with his studies wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for �鶹ԭ��’s online and HyFlex classes, Neftali said. (HyFlex allows students to choose day by day how and when they’ll attend class: in person, online in real time, or online at a time that fits their schedule.)

Having already completed several workforce credentials, Neftali is now pursuing an associate degree. He wants to eventually earn a bachelor’s degree in biology from Wingate University. To do so, he hopes to take advantage of the Road to Wingate scholarship.

“We are living in very difficult times,” he said. “But you never know what the future holds. You can go back to school. You can still achieve things that right now may seem out of reach.”