Kendra Belisle was a strong student in high school. She knew she wanted to go to college but was uncertain about her career path. She spent a year researching her options and searching for colleges that would feel like a second home.

“I thought about social work, family and marriage counseling, equitation, politics, environmental studies, and a few more until I finally landed on dental assisting at Blackhawk,” said Belisle, who is a graduate of Harlem High School in Machesney Park.

Turns out that her decision and her hard work at Blackhawk has caught the attention of dental instructors, Kristen Ziegler and Lisa Johnson. 

“We chose Kendra to spotlight due to her academic excellence, dedication to the program, and excellent attendance. She is also the president of our student club, DASA (Dental Auxiliary Student Association),” said Ziegler.

The Dental Assistant program, which features learning in BTC’s state-of-the-art facilities, also offered Belisle a starting point to pursue more advanced degrees in the future.

Through her time at BTC, Belisle discovered that she wants to become a dentist. She is planning to seek her bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene at a university in Minnesota, but Blackhawk faculty are eager to have her be one of the college’s first dental hygiene students. The Dental Hygienist Associate Degree program is slated to launch in the fall of 2022.

“I still have a lot of work to do before I get to where I want to be, but I’m so excited about finally finding a path I feel so passionate and excited about,” said Belisle.

Although it took her time to decide on her career path, she said it was worth it.

“I used to feel embarrassed that other people were so ahead of me, but I’d rather have taken the time to make a decision I feel happy and confident about than jump into something that I’ll change my mind about in a few years,” she said.