Career Launch program celebrates graduation milestones

Jessica Best, Crytal Bryant-Agyemang, Patrice Russell, Mattie Jones Hollowell, Kerry Luczyk and Bob McKee at the Career Launch graduation event.

The Spring 2025 Career Launch graduation event celebrated two program milestones: the largest graduating class ever and the first double graduate.

Career Launch was created in 2019 to help address staffing shortages. The program covers tuition, uniforms, books, supplies and equipment. Participants are also offered opportunities for mentorship and professional development, with post-graduation job placement at Akron Children’s.

The response to the program has been exceptional, and 2025 marks our largest class with 26 graduates. Since its inception, 120 graduates have completed the program, making Career Launch a successful tool for supporting staff in their career advancement.

Career Launch double graduate

One of those success stories is Haley Decker. Haley is the first Career Launch double graduate, initially obtaining her licensed practical nurse (LPN) degree through Career Launch, then returning for her registered nurse (RN) degree.

Haley’s professional journey began as a personal care assistant (PCA) in an adult hospital, but her passion for health care started much earlier. “Caring for my grandmother during my teenage years and witnessing my younger brother, now 14, graduate from the NICU were defining moments,” Haley said. “Caring for others has always come naturally to me — it’s something I do instinctively and wholeheartedly.”

Haley Decker is the first Career Launch double graduate, receiving both her LPN and RN degrees.

It wasn’t long into her PCA job before Haley realized she was passionate about working with children. While checking Akron Children’s job postings, sometimes several times a week, Haley discovered the Career Launch program.

“I felt it was meant to be — this opportunity aligned perfectly with my desire to work with children.”

While working at Akron Children’s, Haley chose to further her education by obtaining her LPN degree. “I truly valued my experience as a PCA, but I wanted to take on more responsibility and deepen my clinical knowledge to better care for my patients,” Haley said.

“It became clear early on in my LPN role that I wanted to continue advancing my education and skill set by pursuing my RN.”

Haley continues to advance her career

Haley credits Career Launch with making her advancement possible. By letting her work part-time while pursuing her degrees full-time without the financial burden of tuition, books and program-related fees — and by providing resources like loaner laptops and mileage reimbursement — Career Launch was instrumental in helping Haley advance her career.

But the support extended beyond the financial. Each participant is assigned a dedicated mentor. “Kathy Hiney stood by my side throughout my LPN journey — offering encouragement, creating handmade licensure exam study resources, and even attending my pinning and graduation ceremonies with flowers in hand,” Haley said. “As I pursued my RN, Sue Buskey offered invaluable personal and professional guidance. Her words of wisdom and encouragement have been instrumental to my growth.”

‘Success requires full dedication’

Haley shared some advice for people considering advancing their career through Career Launch.

“Before committing to the program, take the time to thoroughly understand the requirements. Success in this program requires full dedication. Balancing work, school and personal life is challenging — but your success will ultimately depend on your determination to excel in both academic and professional settings.”

Haley recommends taking advantage of all the resources Akron Children’s offers to help you succeed. “The culture at Akron Children’s is truly exceptional. The joy, positivity and sense of community — seen through smiles, hugs, high-fives, success stories, and inspiration — reaffirm daily that I made the right decision. This place truly feels like my home away from home.”

Career Launch celebrated their newest graduates at an event on July 22.