Jasmine Boyce couldn’t have imagined where she would be today. For nearly two years, she had no permanent home and lived on the streets of Texarkana, Texas.
But life has a way of opening doors when least expected. Jasmine heard about Mission Texarkana through word-of-mouth. Mission Texarkana is a nonprofit organization and community resource center dedicated to serving individuals experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and other crises. The mission operates as a lifeline for people in need, offering essential services such as hot meals, groceries, job training, and connections to housing and employment resources. Jasmine quickly made friends with Ali Milligan, a volunteer at the nonprofit. Ali’s mother, Terrie, serves as the kitchen supervisor.
With the help of Mission Texarkana and her close friend, Ali, Jasmine found a path that led her to a brighter future. Today, she’s on the verge of graduating from the Arkansas Fiber Academy, a program affiliated with the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana (UAHT) in Hope, Arkansas, that provides students with training to prepare them for a career in the fiber broadband industry. Through this program, Jasmine has gained the knowledge and skills needed to enter the rapidly growing broadband sector — an industry at the forefront of driving economic growth and revitalization, especially in rural areas.
Her journey is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of support systems, and how programs like the Fiber Academy can change lives.
“It has not been an easy process, I will tell you that much,” Jasmine reflected. “There were a lot of days when it felt like I wouldn’t be able to make it through to the next day. But I’ve had a lot of great help and support from Ali and her family, as well as Mission Texarkana.”
The mission became Jasmine’s sanctuary when she had nowhere else to turn. “The mission is a true symbol of hope for people out on the streets,” she said. “You know that when you go there, you’ll get a warm smile, a warm meal, and encouragement to keep going.”
Jasmine completed a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program through the mission, which restored her confidence and sparked her desire to pursue more education. But it wasn’t until Ali, who later became her roommate, sent her a flyer about the Fiber Academy that her path forward became clear.
Ali is a Technical Assistance Provider on the Broadband Team at Communities Unlimited (CU), where she works to expand broadband access in rural communities across the organization’s seven-state footprint. Her role involves connecting communities to resources, training programs, and opportunities to bridge the digital divide.
When Ali heard about the Fiber Academy’s new program, she immediately thought of Jasmine.
“Ali works so closely with broadband programs and Communities Unlimited, so she knew about the course and shared it with me,” Jasmine said. “I jumped on the opportunity as quickly as I could.”
Ali’s involvement in broadband access has given her a front-row seat to the industry’s growth and potential. Broadband is rapidly evolving into one of the most critical sectors for economic development, particularly in underserved areas where it can connect people to job training, remote work opportunities, and education.
Jasmine enrolled in the Fiber Academy in December 2024, joining a nine-week cohort designed to train students in the fundamentals of fiber optic technology. The academy combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning in areas like splicing, testing, installation, and troubleshooting. The program is free to eligible students, thanks to a grant from the Arkansas Office of Skills Development, which removes financial barriers for many participants.
Keegan Johnson, the Fiber Academy’s instructor and a full-time broadband technician with Hope Water & Light, has been impressed by Jasmine’s growth.
“Jasmine is excelling in the class and even outperforming some of the men. Her performance shows that with preparation and attention to detail, anyone can succeed in this field. Women are underrepresented in fiber optics, but Jasmine is proving that this isn’t just a field for men.”
— Keegan Johnson, Fiber Academy instructor and broadband technician with Hope Water & Light
The curriculum is demanding, but Jasmine has embraced the challenge. The program covers everything from basic terminology to complex procedures, with about 60% of the instruction dedicated to hands-on activities.
“The most challenging part is how overwhelming it can feel at first,” Jasmine said. “But you have to give yourself grace and remember that you’re still learning. It gets a lot easier as the class becomes more hands-on. Once you start applying what you’ve learned, it all begins to make sense.”
One of the most exciting discoveries for Jasmine has been her passion for map design. In the first week of class, students were introduced to the role mapping plays in planning and maintaining fiber optic networks. For Jasmine, it was an instant connection.
“I’ve been fascinated by mapping ever since. I want to learn everything about it — how to create maps and use them to make sure everything runs smoothly during installations.”
— Jasmine Boyce, Fiber Academy student
Mapping, she explains, is key to ensuring accuracy and efficiency in broadband installations.
“It helps make sure everything is accurate and set up correctly, which has a big impact on the success of the network,” Jasmine said. “That’s where I’d like to make a difference.”
The industry’s demand for skilled workers is skyrocketing. According to Continuum Capital, the United States faces a shortage of 58,000 broadband workers. Programs like the Fiber Academy are critical to filling that gap and ensuring rural communities are not left behind in the digital age.
Arkansas alone expects
8,000
broadband jobs
In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a faster-than-average growth rate for telecommunications line installer and repairer jobs over the next 10 years. The mean wage for Arkansas workers in the field is $30.11 per hour.
Keegan emphasizes the importance of programs like this.
“With the amount of funding going into Arkansas to bridge the digital divide, there’s a huge need for fiber broadband technicians to maintain networks as more miles of fiber are built and more customers come online,” Johnson said.
The broadband sector’s explosive growth is fueled by increasing demand for bandwidth and connectivity in homes, businesses, and public institutions. High-speed internet is no longer just a convenience — it’s a driver of economic development. With broadband infrastructure expanding, rural communities like those in Arkansas have a chance to attract new businesses, improve education and healthcare access, and increase employment.
The Fiber Academy’s mission is not only to train students but to position them for long-term success. Graduates are eligible for the Fiber Broadband Association’s OpTIC Path three-year certification, making them highly sought after by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The academy currently trains 10 students per cohort but plans to expand due to high demand — there’s already a waiting list of 80 to 90 students.
As a rural state, it is even more critical that Arkansans have the same opportunities as citizens in urban areas. Now that Arkansas is making strides to bring broadband to every corner of the state, it’s paramount to bring in new workers to build and implement the infrastructure, Johnson said.
“The demand is enormous and continues to grow, especially with the increasing need for bandwidth as more devices connect to the internet,” Johnson said. “Homes now have multiple smart devices like TVs, phones, tablets, and laptops, all requiring more bandwidth. The industry generally operates on a ratio of one fiber broadband technician per 500 to 1,000 customers. This varies depending on whether the area is urban or rural and the specific needs of the community. With new technology and infrastructure like data centers, the demand for technicians is steadily rising.
“I’m just excited about the program and where it’s headed. My goal is to train as many people as possible and ensure they have the tools they need to succeed. It’s rewarding to know that when students go out into the workforce, they’re well-prepared, and that reflects positively on the Fiber Academy and UAHT. We’re training the next generation of fiber broadband technicians — we’re training future industry leaders.”
— Keegan Johnson
Jasmine is optimistic about what lies ahead for her future.
“Five years ago, or even one year ago, I never would’ve imagined myself in broadband or fiber optics,” she said. “But now that I’m doing it, I can’t imagine doing anything else. There’s so much opportunity for growth, both personally and professionally. There’s always something new to learn and a place to grow in this field.”
As Jasmine prepares to graduate at the end of February 2025, she’s already thinking about her next steps.
“Initially, I’d like to get a job in the field to get my feet wet and see how everything works,” she said. “But long-term, I want to focus on map design. That’s where I see myself thriving.”
For Jasmine, the journey from homelessness to a promising career in fiber optics has been nothing short of life changing. Her advice to others is simple but powerful:
“Take the opportunity. Even if it feels like a risk, take that risk. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take — it’s a famous quote, but it’s true.”
— Jasmine Boyce
With her graduation from the Fiber Academy just weeks away, Jasmine knows the best is yet to come.