Articles
Coleman Champion: Kelley Vo
Jun 30, 2025
Kelley Vo is a remarkable Medical Laboratory Technician student whose perseverance and positivity have left a lasting impression on everyone around her. Despite facing significant personal challenges, she consistently showed up with a sunny disposition and a genuine eagerness to learn and support others. Her resilience, coupled with her unwavering enthusiasm, made her a bright presence in the classroom and a reliable team player among her peers. ⎯ Karlien Smith, Medical Laboratory Technician program director
Name
Kelley Vo
City/Town of Residence
Houston
Hometown & High School
Houston, Westchester Academy for International Studies
Current Degree or Certificate Program
Medical Laboratory Technician
Year & Class
2nd year, Class of 2025
Talents or Hobbies, or Something People Don’t Know About You
My talent is calling out wrong answers with full confidence, and I am constantly in eBay bidding wars for vintage 1940s-1970s sewing patterns or horror paperback books.
Why did you enroll at HCC Coleman College?
I wanted a new start in life, and I was told by many that HCC Coleman College has a lot of wonderful programs.
Why did you choose your program of study?
I desire to help people, but I don’t want to touch them. Working in a lab will allow me to to provide indirect patient care.
What do you like best about your college experience?
Since class sizes are small, I was able to establish wonderful relationships with my professors. They made it clear in so many ways that they are my No. 1 supporters, and that I will succeed.
What do you like best about your program of study?
The best part was being taught technical and practical skills to set the foundation for working in a hospital laboratory.
When you are tired, what motivates you to push forward?
I reflect on some of the stories that my professors have shared with us of their own personal hardships during their time as Medical Laboratory Technician students and new grads.
I think to myself: If they could persevere, fight, and succeed, so can I!
What advice can you offer to help other students succeed?
I knew about the MLT program back in 2018, but I was hesitant to apply. It wasn’t until five years later in 2023 that I felt it was finally time for a change in my life.
Trust yourself and your gut feeling; you will know when you are ready for a challenge and have the strength to work hard to apply yourself to school.
Any final thoughts?
It’s been a wonderful two years. It hasn’t always been easy, but the difficult times have shown me what I am capable of.