In 2009, a wonderful family that had recently moved here from Iraq came to the Worcester Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) for help. Fatima brought in her two younger sisters to enroll them in English-as-a-second-language classes at Quinsigamond Community College. All three had been educated in Iraq, but only Fatima expected to have her degree from Iraq evaluated in hopes of completing her education in the United States. Fast forward to 2016 and she is working on her PhD while teaching computer science at a local college. One of the younger sisters has followed suit and just received her degree in Early Childhood Education while parenting two young children. The third sister will receive her bachelor’s degree from Worcester State University this year. "It has been an absolute pleasure supporting their educational goals. We’re thrilled to see them succeed!" says their EOC education advisor, Melissa Daley.