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Ready to ApplyCedric Lenox
Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, w/ Education concentration (BASS/Ed.)
"Society may make predictions, but only I can determine what I can or cannot do."
Fortunately for Cedric,
there was one teacher who recognized the damage of such labels. “Mrs.
Wisdhal inspired me to do my best. She told me to not allow those labels
to stick with me.” With Mrs. Wisdhal’s encouragement, Cedric enrolled
in community college after high school, but dropped out after two years.
“I knew I shouldn’t, but I still believed the labels.”
Cedric spent the next five
years in the professional world - he worked in the school system, in
camp services, in juvenile correction, and, most recently, as a
residential substance abuse counselor for adolescents. Like many adults,
Cedric soon realized that in order to progress in his career, he would
have to return to college. “The doors were a challenge to open without
my degree.”
In April 2008, Cedric spoke
with Ashford University Enrollment Advisor Aimee Rogers, who helped him
enroll in the Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with Education
concentration online degree program.
Cedric’s decision to pursue
higher education was met with enthusiasm and support from his family.
“My mom had always instilled in me that I needed a college education
because she had to work hard labor to take care of us kids. Some of my
siblings are going back to college, as well - one of my baby sisters is
working on her Master’s degree in Leadership Education, my middle sister
is working on her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, and my brother is
pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in Human Services.” In 2011, Cedric will
become the first male in his family to hold a college degree. “I hope to
become a teacher so I can work with troubled youth; eventually, I want
to open up my own school for at-risk youth.” Cedric also plans to pursue
a graduate degree in social work and counseling.
In addition to working with
adolescents in a school setting, Cedric aims to become a motivational
speaker like his heroes Marva Collins and Ron Clark. Cedric took the
first step to accomplishing that goal when his article, “Say Yes to Your Dreams,”
appeared in the September 2010 online issue of IN Teen Magazine.* In
the article, Cedric discusses the reality of drug use among adolescents
and encourages young people to pursue their dreams of success.
“I encourage everyone to get
an education, no matter what your age, disability, or background.
People will tell you it cannot be done, but all it takes is imagination,
a dream, and a plan. There will be obstacles. There will be mistakes.
But with hard work and beliefs, there are no limits!”
Update:
In December 2010, Cedric took another step toward his goal of
opening a school for at-risk youth. He moved from Florida to South
Carolina to accept a position as a field instructor at Camp Long, a
year-round camp for at-risk youth sponsored by the Department of
Juvenile Justice. “I am helping the teen boys understand that they still
have a future.” Cedric has also had the opportunity to do some public
speaking. “I told eighth-graders about my story - how I struggled in
school and had very low self-esteem. I told them to dream crazy dreams
and to never give up in life.”
*Cedric Lenox, “Say Yes to your Dreams”, IN teen Magazine, September 2010, page 51, http://www.inteenmagazine.com/issues/1/27.php
*Cedric Lenox, “Say Yes to your Dreams”, IN teen Magazine, September 2010, page 51, http://www.inteenmagazine.com/issues/1/27.php