TALIHINA, Okla. – At Kiamichi Tech, the HVAC program is not just shaping futures—it’s strengthening family bonds. For Ashley James and her daughter, Nevaeh Goodin, learning side by side has been an experience unlike any other.

Ashley, set to complete the program in May 2025, made the decision to pursue HVAC to secure a stable and rewarding career. “Kiamichi Tech has provided me with a strong foundation in HVAC principles and hands-on skills,” she said. “I’m eager to enter the workforce and put my training to work.”

For Nevaeh, a junior at Talihina High School who will graduate from the program in 2026, the journey is still unfolding. “I haven’t quite settled on a specific path after Kiamichi Tech, but I know the skills I’m learning here will benefit me no matter what direction I choose,” she shared.

What makes their story even more remarkable is the opportunity to learn together. 

“Training alongside my daughter has been pretty awesome and rewarding,” Ashley said. “Watching her learn and grow has been such a blessing. Even if she doesn’t pursue HVAC as a career, she’ll always have these skills to fall back on.”

For Nevaeh, the experience has been equally special. “It’s been amazing to go through this with my mom. I’m super proud of her and everything she’s accomplished.”

Through Kiamichi Tech and the support of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Ashley has been able to pursue her education without the burden of debt—an opportunity she deeply values. “This isn’t just about a career; it’s about empowerment,” she said.

For Ashley and Nevaeh, time spent at Kiamichi Tech has built more than technical skills—it has strengthened their bond as mother and daughter, proving that success is even sweeter when shared.