Stone Mountain Grad Shows What It’s Like to ‘Be the Change’

Ki’aira Staples was working, locating underground power lines in the Atlanta area, the first time someone recognized her from television.

The excited stranger stopped her mid-task and asked if she was the woman from that commercial — the Georgia Power one. The PSA about safe digging.

Ki’aira said the encounter made her smile.

“I wanted to be the same person you see on TV when you meet me in real life,” she said. “That same energy. That same care.”

That moment stands out to Ki’aira as a reflection of years of showing up, pushing through setbacks, and being ready when doors finally opened to her future.

A 2023 Electrician Technician graduate from United Education Institute (UEI) in Stone Mountain and a Be the Change Scholarship recipient, Ki’aira continues to build momentum in the electrical field today. Her journey includes being hired by Georgia Power shortly after graduation, becoming the face of a regional power safety campaign, and now working as an Aviation Technician with Precision Aviation Group.

But underneath this success is a story about resilience, confidence, and choosing to be the change rather than waiting for it.

Finding Stability as a Model Student

Before enrolling at UEI, Ki’aira was already working in the electrical and utility world. As a private contractor for Georgia Power, she traveled throughout Georgia, the Carolinas, Alabama, and Florida, helping document voltage, induction, and the condition of power grids near nuclear power plants.

The schedule kept her busy, the pay was solid, and the work felt meaningful. But contract work doesn’t last forever.

When this particular contract wrapped up shortly after COVID reshaped the workforce, Ki’aira began thinking about her future. She wanted sustainability and growth, and she knew certifications would help separate her from the pack.

Then one day, she heard about UEI Stone Mountain and its electrician technician program. She called UEI, set up a tour, and eventually enrolled.

“The first week I came to UEI, I knew I was in the right place,” she said. “I instantly got assistance. I was instantly and genuinely cared for, and you could tell everyone there wanted me to succeed.”

She enrolled with the goal of strengthening her credentials, which would help open doors that often remain closed to contract workers. And once classes started, Ki’aira hit the ground running.

She maintained a nearly perfect GPA, earned perfect attendance, and was consistently named to the President’s List. She became a Student Ambassador, tutored fellow students, led study groups, and showed up wherever help was needed.

UEI staff and instructors praised her leadership, and peers leaned on her for support.

“Whether leading study groups, organizing student events, or mentoring new enrollees, she brought an infectious enthusiasm and unwavering support to the learning environment,” said Terri Middlebrooks, Director of Career Services at UEI Stone Mountain. “Ki’aira exemplifies ethical leadership and has a forward-thinking mindset that continues to drive her in her field.”

Learning to ‘Be the Change’

Despite her strength as a leader, Ki’aira’s student journey came with its share of challenges.

During her third month at UEI, Ki’aira’s car caught fire while she was driving. The engine shut down, so she pulled into a gas station. That’s when she saw flames rising from the hood of her car.

At the time, she had returned to contracting with Georgia Power while also attending UEI. The job required her to have her own transportation — a vehicle capable of hauling tools and equipment from jobsite to jobsite — so to stay employed, she paid nearly $2,000 a month for a rental while dealing with legal and insurance fallout.

Yet she still showed up to class every day.

“That became my drive,” she said.

Around this same time, an instructor told her about the UEI Be the Change Scholarship.

Established by UEI in 2020, the Be the Change Scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to community impact. Applications involve writing an essay about personal experiences with driving positive change.

Ki’aira poured everything she was carrying into her scholarship essay, including the confidence she was building at UEI and the support system that allowed her to thrive.

Titled “I Am the Change,” the essay explored resilience, service, and leadership, and reflected how deeply UEI had shaped her growth academically, socially, and personally.

Just a few weeks later, she learned she had won the scholarship — with full tuition covered.

“I can’t even describe the weight that was lifted off my shoulders,” she said. “I felt like the universe knew I couldn’t take any more. Winning that scholarship meant everything.”

The scholarship allowed Ki’aira to replace her vehicle, clearing a major financial obstacle. And the good news kept coming.

In the UEI parking lot, after the clap-out ceremony celebrating her final day of class, Ki’aira felt her phone vibrate. It was Georgia Power, offering her a full-time job.

From the Classroom to the Community

As a cable locator at Georgia Power, Ki’aira immediately stood out for her professionalism, positivity, and strong customer feedback. Within months, she earned a promotion to Asset Protection Tech Level VI and was asked to appear in public service announcements focused on safe digging and power awareness.

At her first video shoot, she was given no lines — so she spoke naturally and let her personality shine.

The first commercial aired locally. A second, which featured Georgia Power’s Dig Dog mascot, ran across streaming platforms and local broadcasts during 811 safety awareness season. That’s when people began recognizing Ki’aira in public.

“You’d be surprised how many people would say, ‘I just saw you on TV,’” she said. “That made me want to live up to that image even more. I’m literally that same person giving you the spiel [in the PSA] about caring for customers.”

Today, Ki’aira no longer works for Georgia Power, a decision rooted in continued career growth. She now works as an Aviation Technician with Precision Aviation Group, where she troubleshoots avionics systems, electrical boards, navigation systems, and flight controls.

The role allows her to apply the full scope of her electrical training across industrial, residential, and aviation environments.

Even as her career continues to evolve, Ki’aira remains deeply connected to UEI. She has returned to the Stone Mountain campus as a guest speaker and mentor, and she is a passionate advocate for career education as a pathway to meaningful change.

“Not only the staff, but the students at UEI were a major part of how I became who I am now,” she said. “I don’t think I would be the person I am now — the way I can take time and empathize with anyone — if I didn’t come into contact with so many people from so many walks of life at UEI. Being at UEI allowed me to take that shield down and know there were people who would support me.”

“Ki’aira Staples truly embodies what it means to be the change,” said Hank Blakely, UEI Stone Mountain Campus President. “Her resilience, leadership, and commitment to uplifting others set her apart from the moment she stepped on our campus. We are incredibly proud to call her a UEI Stone Mountain graduate and to see the impact she continues to make in her career and her community.”