Khamla was born in Laos and spent six years in a refugee camp before coming to the U.S at age 17. He finished at the top of his high school class and got a scholarship to the University of St. Thomas. However, due to illness in his family, he turned down the scholarship and went to work for a medical device company where he worked in engineering for 22 years. Then after a series of lay-offs, Khamla was referred to CMJTS for the dislocated worker program. Three years later, Khamla earned his mechanical engineering degree from St. Cloud State. Next fall, he will start his M.A. in clinical research.

“What can I say? Literally they helped me with everything. At CMJTS I found the best person I’ve ever worked with in my whole life!”