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W
hen GyJuan Winslow graduated
from high school, it never really oc-
curred to him to go to college. No one in
his family ever had. He figured the military
made the most sense so he joined the Air
Force. “Joining the service was the best
thing I could have done at the time,” says
GyJuan. “It gave me discipline and forced
me to grow up fast.” After 10 years, how-
ever, he was weary from frequent deploy-
ments and ready to move on.
Transitioning to civilian life was not easy.
He and his family moved to Charlotte
where he found a job but not a career.
Then, he got laid off. Facing eviction, he
managed to land a job doing electrical
work in Charleston. Shortly thereafter,
his world began to open up. A friend told
GyJuan about a position with an aircraft
parts manufacturing company. He inter-
viewed and got the job.
While he enjoyed his work, he knew he
could move up much faster if he got
an education. “I took a look at the local
community college but it seemed to be
a long, drawn-out process and I knew I
really needed a bachelor’s degree,” says
GyJuan. “Having grown up near an ECPI
University campus, I was already familiar
with the school, so I decided to check it
out. Earning a bachelor’s in 2.5 years drew
me in. However, it was the people I met
that day that convinced me this was where
I was meant to be.”
GyJuan enrolled and because he already
had some college credit, earned his
Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineer-
ing Technology in just two years. Now if
the story ended there, it would be a good
one but GyJuan’s good fortune continued
and he’s made the most of it. His com-
pany was
purchased
by Boeing
and that
opened up
a world of
opportu-
nity.
His new
bosses
took note of his skill and dedication and
encouraged him to apply for a manage-
ment position. More than 100 people
interviewed for the job. In the end, GyJuan
came out on top. He now has 21 people
reporting to him. “I look back on where
I was just a few years ago and I cannot
believe how things have changed,” he
says. “Joining the Air Force and enrolling
at ECPI University were the best decisions
I ever made. I was so well-prepared for my
new career. It really gave me a competi-
tive advantage. The whole ECPI team was
always so supportive, always pushing me
to make the most of every opportunity. I
am, and will always be, grateful.”
Charleston Grad Flying High with Boeing
W
hen she was just a little girl, Emma
Mullet used to dream of becom-
ing a nurse. Of course, it was just that, a
dream. She was Amish and that meant
no more than eight years of education
and then it was time to be trained to
become a mother and housewife. She
married in 1995 and had eight children
over the next eleven years. In 2007, her
life became complicated. Her husband
became very ill and could not work. She
decided it was time to take control of her
life. The family moved to South Carolina
and Emma started working on her GED.
She was soon hired as a cook at the
local school – at least she could be near
her children. Emma then earned her GED
in just one year and got a job in manu-
facturing but was injured at work and
had to have surgery. During that time,
she began thinking about college. “It was
kind of funny,” she says, “I had talked
with someone at ECPI University back in
2008 but told them I wasn’t ready and to
call me back in four years. Can you be-
lieve it? They did just that and I enrolled
at the Greenville campus in 2012.
“One of my first thoughts was ‘oh my,
what have I gotten myself into?’ but I
knew that with God all things are pos-
sible and if it was His will, He would
help me make it through,” says Emma.
It took a lot of juggling to get to all my
classes and still be there for the children.
They also needed to make sacrifices for
me so I had study time. I couldn’t have
done it without the support of my family
and everyone at ECPI University. They
really worked with me to help me stay on
course.”
In March of this year, Emma graduated
with an Associate of Applied Science de-
gree in Health Science, Medical Assist-
ing. She has since earned her RMA and
CMA certifications and is now employed
at Landrum Family Healthcare. “I am
excited to see what my children will do
after seeing what I was able to accom-
plish,” she says. “It’s never too late!”
Impossible Dream Comes True
Despite Growing Up Amish, Greenville Grad Pursues a Career
“I look back on where I was
just a few years ago and I
cannot believe how things have
changed. Joining the Air Force
and enrolling at ECPI University
were the best decisions I ever
made.”
– GyJuan Winslow,
Electronics Engineering
Technology Graduate