The Bennett Family’s higher education journey all started in the early 1990’s when Eddie Bennett decided to further his education at SVCC. Between 1990 and 2010, Eddie earned multiple certificates and diplomas in focus areas such as Applied Electricity, Industrial Servicing, Electronics Technology, and HVAC/R. Eddie now works as SVCC’s Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds on the John H. Daniel campus.
Fast forward a few years, Eddie and his wife, Jennifer, had decided to homeschool their two children, Kaylie and Brayden. They had heard of the benefits and merit of SVCC’s dual enrollment program, so they decided to supplement their homeschool curriculum with a few classes from SVCC.
In 2018, after having earned many dual enrollment credits, Kaylie earned her Associate degree in General Studies from SVCC and transferred to Christopher Newport University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2020. She completed her Master of Public Administration from Old Dominion University in 2022, and she now works as SVCC’s Grants Specialist. In 2022, Kaylie married William Edwards, who also got his start at SVCC. In 2015, he completed an Automotive Diagnosis and Tune-Up Certificate. He now owns and operates Driven Mobile Automotive, specializing in small engine repair and outdoor power equipment sales.
Brayden finished his Associate degree in General Studies in 2022, along with an Automotive Diagnosis and Tune-Up Certificate. In 2023, he earned a Welding Certificate. He currently works for C&L Machine & Welding as a Welder.
During much of this time, Jennifer had been working from home as a Medical Transcriptionist after leaving the nursing/medical administration fields to focus on teaching her children. However, when both of her children left the nest, she decided that she was ready to take on a new challenge. In 2023, she graduated from SVCC with an Associate degree in Administrative Support Technology with a Medical Office Specialization. She also received her Certified Professional Coder Certification, and she now works as a Dictation Training Specialist for Patient First.
This success story reflects the invaluable impact of educational institutions like SVCC in nurturing talent and providing pathways to meaningful careers. The Bennett Family is just one example of the rewards of lifelong learning and the boundless possibilities it can provide.
