Nina Knight wasn’t sure what her future would hold when she was young.
“My whole life I was told that I wasn’t smart enough for college. My life was going to be working in a factory if I could get in one or being a waitress and that was okay because we need service people too. College was never in my purview, and, in fact, I wasn’t even planning on graduating from high school,” she said.
That changed after developing a bond with a teacher, Mrs. Stilson, at Chippewa Hills High School in Remus, Michigan. Nina credits her for becoming interested in teaching.
“She actually sat down with me and helped me fill out a college application,” she said. “I was accepted into Ferris State. She went with me for the Ferris State orientation to help me register for classes and really, really pushed me. She saw that a college degree was in my future and that I could do it.”
After two semesters she left Ferris State for personal reasons and moved to Texas in 2002. After working in food service for a few years she made the decision to go back to school where she attended the University of Texas Pan American. She graduated with her master’s degree in December 2014.
Her first job as an instructor was during her graduate studies where she got into service learning. That is a teaching method which combines community service with classroom learning. She fell in love with that learning method. She moved back to Michigan in May 2014.
Five years later she found herself in prison. She chose to help the incarcerated people who are trying to further their education while behind bars as part of Jackson College’s Corrections Education Program. She serves as the lead composition instructor for the program.
“When I saw the position open, I really wanted to work at Jackson College,” she said. “I loved the mission and values.”
The experience has been transformative for Nina.
“Completing the program for those that are getting out, it means better pay, a better job, better income, a better chance for a future, a better support for their family,” she said. I’ve had students in their 60s and 70s who won’t be going home, but they do it because they want to show their grandkids that they can do it and they should do it.”
Her impact on my academic career has been significant. It’s not often you find an engaged professor for an online course, and I know instructors don’t always get to see the lasting difference they make on students’ lives, which is why I reached out to let her know how much of a difference she made with my writing abilities.
Isaac Chenier is one of her former students. He is currently enrolled at Eastern Michigan University completing his bachelor’s degree in Technology Management. Isaac credits Nina for being able to give him the tools to go on to suceed at the next level.
“What stands out about Professor Knight’s teaching is how practical these skills have been. Each time I add an external source into my work, I’m reminded of her class,” he said. “She didn’t just teach academic requirements, she equipped me with communication tools I’ve used throughout my entire degree, it’s been an incredible asset and I’m so happy I took her course.”
Jackson College honored her with its annual TCS2 award for demonstrating a total commitment to student success. She has had many success stories including and describes one that was on her mind.
“A federal student went home and went to finish his bachelor’s degree. Currently, he’s in the middle of his master’s degree program and he’s not planning on stopping with plans on going to get his Ph.D.,” she said.
Nina said that if people are considering going her route to take the jump.
“Sometimes the trainings we go through with the Department of Corrections, they have to be very thorough,” she said. “They have to make us aware of everything. If you’re on the fence about it, get your lien clearance, go in with an experienced instructor, sit in the classroom and see how it’s done. It’s going to pay dividends. It’s going to be an amazing experience.”