Center Stage: Meet the Founder of 1 On 1 Technical College| Shakea Miller

By Leslie Hudgins

1. What inspired you to start 1 On 1 Technical College, and how does your background influence the mission and activities of the organization?

My staffing agency was the source of inspiration for me to create 1 On 1 Technical College because we were already staffing. We found it challenging to meet the demand for hiring qualified medical personnel at that time. I decided to teach clinical medical assistant and phlebotomy classes after we had a conversation about how to maintain a pool of qualified medical professionals. However, once I started the process and saw how much it would cost, I soon realized opening a full technical college would be better. 

2. Can you share a specific moment or experience that solidified your decision to launch this educational institution?

Ms. Amy, a student who came to our school in 2020, was one unique instance that I had that confirmed my choice. After completing her phlebotomy course, she returned to the institution a week later to sit for the national exam. She sobbed uncontrollably and requested an embrace as soon as she learned she had passed her exam. "Mrs. Miller, thank you so much for this hug; I really needed it." She explained that all she wanted was for her parents to be there to watch her complete her education and obtain a trade. " I said, "Although they may not be here in the flesh, they are here in spirit." She received my congratulations, and two days later, she received a job offer. That day has always stuck in my heart and brain. God has given me motivation and strength through the people he has sent to this college.

3. Can you share some of your background and experiences that led you to establish a college focusing on personalized technical education?

My decision to start a college was greatly aided by the fact that I completed several medical trade classes. I got certified in most of the medical trades that we offer here at 1 on1 1Technical College at a young age, so I had knowledge in those fields. At the age of 19, I got pregnant with my son and had to drop out of college. My family was rather disappointed in me, and I was determined not to become just another statistic. An African American teenager became pregnant without pursuing a trade or degree. Being pregnant at a young age was viewed as a lifelong curse in my family. So, I opted to take up some medical trades. I became a nursing assistant, a phlebotomist, and then a clinical medical assistant. So I had experience in the field, so it was a perfect match. I went from being that girl who got pregnant as a teenager with no degree to that girl who got pregnant as a teenager who owns her own technical college. Can you imagine the whispers and shock? 

4. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in running a college focusing on individualized technical training?

Our limited medical trades, which were primarily geared toward women, present the largest obstacle due to women dominating employment for those trades. In addition, not everybody aspires to work in medicine. Women make up most of our enrollment demographic. This limits our reach and enrollment.

5. How have you overcome these obstacles in the educational sector?

We have overcome this obstacle by adding more classes. On June 20, 2024, we became a 2-year college that grants degrees. Additionally, we have included theological courses. As a result, we launched a 1-on-1 technical and theological college with 66 classes, as opposed to 7 medical classes. Accounting, business management, computer information systems, and divinity are just a handful of the subjects in which we currently offer associate degrees. Cybersecurity, paralegal, business administration, and health care are among the trade classes. We have several classes to choose from, and we are no longer limited in the number of people we can educate. 

6. What are your future goals for 1 on 1 Technical College?

The future of 1 On 1 Technical College is to be able to help more students with more diverse classes. Adding 59 new classes will help us reach more potential students. Even though we are a black-owned college, we welcome all walks of life. 

7. What impact has 1 On 1 Technical College had on the community so far?

In the past four years, more than 2,500 students have graduated from 1 On 1 Technical College. We helped place 1,783 students in the medical industry. 1 On 1 Technical College is aware of the significance of high-quality education and career placement in the modern world.

8. How can the community and potential volunteers get involved and support your mission to provide personalized technical education?

The community can help the 1 On 1 Technical College mission by having our local businesses partner with us and having organizations provide internships, externships, mentorships, and job opportunities. Joining our advisory boards comprising industry experts, educators, and community leaders to guide program development and ensure relevance. Monetary donations, equipment, and supply donations would be a huge help. This offers financial support, donating equipment, or establishing scholarships to help students access technical education. 1 On 1 Technical College is a private college, meaning we are not federally or state-owned. We are privately funded by myself and the students enrolling. We do receive sponsors that sponsor students and pay for specific students they send our way. We would love to have new partners and sponsors. 

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