Kobie Brown – 91��Ƭ

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute Celebrates the Class of 2025

Michelle Lang — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:30:49 +0000

hosted graduation on June 27 at Monsignor William J. Linder Plaza, 233 West Market St., Newark. Students who completed the Automotive Technician, Building Trades Specialist, High School Equivalency, Medical Assistant Clinical and Patient Care Technician programs were honored during the ceremony.

91��Ƭ Interim Board Chairman Edgar Nemorin welcomed graduates and thanked them for trusting NCCTI to provide their education.

“I admire your strength, perseverance and will in getting through this technical school year and mastering your craft,” he said.

91��Ƭ CEO Simone Gagneron reminded graduates that their journey doesn’t end with obtaining their certificates and that they are always welcome back to the organization, especially since they have made friends and family during the course of their studies. She also encouraged them to continue on the trajectory of making positive choices.

“You said yes to advancing your career. You said yes to making a difference in your lives and making a difference in the lives of your family and making a difference in the lives of your community,” she said. “And everything else from here on out is a yes. No one can tell you no.”

Newark West Ward Councilman Dupré Kelly served as the keynote speaker and told graduates to remember that the journey is just as important as the destination.

“This achievement is just a testament to the fact that a dream, no matter how big, can be realized with dedication and determination. Today we don’t just celebrate your academic milestones and your technical milestones. We honor your resilience. Each of you have faced distinct challenges,” he said. “Yet you are still here and ready to take on the world.”

Kelly also reminded graduates that they are the reason for their success and that success isn’t defined by the type of work that they do. He said success has more to do with the impact you make on those around you.

“I’m excited to see how you bring your skills and passion to not only Newark, N.J., but to the world,” he said.

Two graduates spoke to their peers and supporters during the ceremony. Simone Parkes, who completed the Medical Assistant Clinical program, quit a full-time job to become a student and also married, became a stepmom and became a mom to an infant. She juggled her family responsibilities with studying and is grateful for her family’s support and to NCCTI for helping her excel. She currently works in a pediatric office and draws on the knowledge she learned from the program when speaking with patients and their parents during appointments.

“I’m beyond proud of our accomplishments. You never know how much impact you have on others. You’re amazing,” she said. “Continue pouring that positive energy into other people.”

Automotive Technician graduate Shareif Gilmer spoke about the challenges of growing up without a mother or a father. After finishing high school, he obtained a CDL license to support his family and decided to enroll in NCCTI to further his career. His current role has him maintaining medical transportation vehicles.

“It has been a race worth finishing. I have had the pleasure of meeting people from all walks of life, which is the reason for encouraging all of you to be the best you can be,” he said. “I encourage you all to continue paving the many ways to your success.”

NCCTI Career Services Coordinator Chanda Webb presented employer partners and with awards for their ongoing support, providing students with tours and information and for hiring graduates.

University Hospital Manager of Recruitment Patient Care Services Claudia Alves said the relationship is changing lives, shaping the community and shows what is possible when organizations come together with a common goal.

“By partnering with NCC, University Hospital is helping to create a direct bridge between education and employment,” she said. “The program doesn’t just train workers. It builds careers, strengthens families and uplifts the entire neighborhood.”

Newark Community Health Centers Inc. Human Resources Recruiter Kobie Brown said his company has hired more than 28 NCCTI graduates from both medical programs and looks forward to welcoming even more in the future.

“It’s a pleasure for us to be here to serve our community and help see you guys grow as individuals,” he said.

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that is currently enrolling for the following programs: Automotive Technician, Medical Assistant Clinical and Patient Care Technician. For more information, call 973-824-6484, email nccti@newcommunity.org, log onto or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute Graduate Enjoys Helping Others at Newark Community Health Center

Michelle Lang — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 21:15:33 +0000

Tavaine Salmon decided she wanted to work in the medical field after having negative experiences in health care settings. She wanted to provide better care for patients than she had received so she began researching schools that offered medical training. She found and enrolled in its Patient Care Technician (PCT) program. She graduated from NCCTI in June and now spends her working hours greeting, registering and assisting patients at the Ferry Street location of as a Patient Service Representative (PSR).

The road to her health care career wasn’t easy but with the assistance of NCCTI staff, Salmon was able to complete the program and find employment. Shortly after beginning the PCT program, she became sick and had to take a three-month leave of absence to recover. While she was out, communication with NCCTI staff continued.

“Everybody kept checking on me and making sure that I was ready to come back and I was healed and ready to take it on,” she said. “I’m grateful for that part.”

When she returned to class, PCT Instructor Dr. Ehab Salib monitored her progress, provided practice tests and coached her on what to study so that she would be able to pass the exam. She passed the exam on her first attempt.

Salib praised Salmon for her hard work and dedication to the program.

“She was a very good student, coming in on time, never leaving early, studying hard, doing all her homework in due time, asking reasonable questions related to the subject and showing great interest,” he said.

After graduation, NCCTI Career Services Coordinator Chanda Webb informed Salmon about a job opportunity at Newark Community Health Centers. Salmon was familiar with the Federally Qualified Health Center because Human Resources Recruiter Kobie Brown was a speaker at her graduation. She believed it would be a good fit for her professionally.

“I love the fact that they’re geared towards helping people and making people feel better,” she said. “And they accommodate everybody.”

Salmon applied for the job and after a phone interview and in-person interview was offered the role. She registers patients, makes appointments and checks their insurance. If a patient is without health insurance, she can help set them up through and Medicaid. Since starting the job in September, Salmon has earned two certifications that allow her to complete health care applications for patients.

Sometimes patients come in frustrated or upset but Salmon always makes a point to be respectful and do what she can to assist everyone she encounters.

“It makes a difference the way you treat them, the way you talk to them. Because sometimes they’re so mad at you and then at the end of the appointment, they come to the front and they say, ‘Thank you so much,’” she said. “That’s something that stays with me.”

Salmon said she loves her job and is grateful she found NCCTI.

“The school is amazing,” she said. “I would recommend it every day.”

In addition to providing the necessary education, NCCTI has relationships with employers and brings representatives to the school to meet with students, answer questions and conduct mock interviews. Students also have the opportunity to visit employer locations, including area hospitals, to see the environment firsthand and meet staff members. The interview process is more comfortable for them when they are speaking with someone they have met before.

NCCTI Director Miguel Pacheco is pleased the school was able to set Salmon up for success.

“Our goal is to help all of our students succeed in their area of study and find employment. I’m happy to say we met both of those goals with Ms. Salmon.”

Salmon interviewed for roles in hospitals as well but ultimately decided to work in a medical office setting so she wouldn’t be away from her children for 12 hours at a time. She lives in Maplewood with her husband and three children, ages 11, 7 and 3.

She’s happy with her decision because she enjoys her job and there is room to grow.

“They tell me you can rise from wherever you are to wherever you need to be here so that’s a good thing,” she said.

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that is currently enrolling for the following programs: Automotive Technician, Medical Assistant Clinical and Patient Care Technician. For more information, call 973-824-6484, email nccti@newcommunity.org, log onto or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute Celebrates Graduates

Michelle Lang — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 20:28:39 +0000

hosted graduation on June 14 at Monsignor William J. Linder Plaza, 233 West Market St., Newark. Students who completed the Automotive Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Culinary Arts Specialist, Medical Assistant Clinical and Patient Care Technician programs were honored during the ceremony.

91��Ƭ Interim Board Chairman Edgar Nemorin congratulated the graduates and thanked them for trusting NCCTI to provide them with the skills needed to start a new career. He also encouraged them to always put in their best effort.

“There may be some tasks that might be unsuccessful or challenging, but at least you know in your heart you gave it your all. Control what you can control,” he said. “Be accountable and responsible. And always remember team collaboration on any task helps everyone.”

Keynote speaker Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka told the graduating class that they should never let challenging situations or past failures deter them from trying to achieve their goals. He said he ran for public office for 16 years before he was successful. He also said having to struggle makes people appreciate their accomplishments.

“I thank you all for taking the stairs and not the elevator. The stairs are harder, they’re more difficult, but when you get to the top of the landing, you appreciate the top because it was a heck of a road getting up there,” he said. “So I want you to remember this journey that you went through and appreciate this journey.”

Medical Assistant Clinical graduate Hafeezah Ragland shared her story at graduation. She began the program in July 2022 shortly after graduating from high school. A few weeks later, she was shot and had to stop attending NCCTI. She recovered and was able to return to school and complete the program with the help of instructor Dr. Mamdouh Sorial and supportive NCCTI staff members. Ragland now works as an Ambulatory Technician at University Hospital in the physical medicine and rehab department. Her future goal is to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN).

“I am super grateful for the opportunity that I was given at NCCTI,” she said.

Ragland also shared words of encouragement to her fellow graduates.

“No matter which route and trials and tribulations you go through in life, never give up. It might be hard, but with the right support and guidance, you’re going to accomplish your goals,” she said.

NCCTI presented 91��Ƭ Board Chairman Emeritus Dr. A. Zachary Yamba with a plaque of appreciation for his work with the school. Yamba, who retired as Board Chairman in December, worked closely with NCCTI over the years bringing his experience in education to help elevate the school and assist with the re-accreditation process.

Yamba said he became involved with 91��Ƭ because the organization served him when he first came to the United States. Founder Monsignor William J. Linder asked him to become a member of the Board and wanted him to assume the leadership role after his passing, which Yamba did to carry on the mission of 91��Ƭ. He said the graduates are a part of that.

“To the graduates today, you are a testament and recipient of the legacy that Monsignor Linder built for our community,” Yamba said.

Employer partners also addressed the crowd. David Hutchinson from , who founded the that NCCTI Building Trades Specialist students participate in, told the graduates that they should be proud of their accomplishments but also look toward future goals.

“Today you’ve completed a very important hurdle. But it is not the end line for you,” he said. “It’s the start of your journey. Continue to press forward and continue to strive for more.”

Kobie Brown from , which has hired NCCTI students, told the graduates to be accountable to themselves to push themselves forward and not to forget their roots.

“Make sure that you’re doing everything that you can to be a pillar in this community and to be a successful part of this community,” he said.

91��Ƭ Director of Mission Frances Teabout closed out the graduation ceremony by thanking the speakers, NCCTI instructors and staff members and the graduates’ support systems. She also asked the graduates to share their positive experiences with others.

“When 91��Ƭ comes up, I want you all to speak good of us,” she said. “To let somebody know that 91��Ƭ has made a difference in your life. Because that’s how we’re able to continue doing what we’re doing.”

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that is currently enrolling for the following programs: Automotive Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Medical Assistant Clinical, Patient Care Technician and Culinary Arts Specialist. For more information, call 973-824-6484, email nccti@newcommunity.org, log onto or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.