US Bank funds scholarships for GED tests, ABE/ESL classes
Many local residents who never finished high school or who don’t speak or read English well are getting a chance to improve their lives, thanks to a $2,500 grant to Lower Columbia College from US Bancorp Foundation.
Merlene York , LCC foundation executive director, announced the grant, which will help low-income students with the $25 per quarter Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language class fees, and $75 GED testing fees. The fees, mandated by the state, are a problem for many of these students.
This is the second year US Bank has supported Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, and GED testing, Hertig said. “ US Bank has really stepped up. They have really had an impact.”
Two BCC musical groups selected to perform at world’s largest jazz gathering
In an unusual honor, the International Association of Jazz Educators selected two jazz groups from Bellevue Community College – a band and a vocal ensemble – to perform at the Association’s annual conference in New York.
Thousands of bands and vocal groups vie each year for the opportunity to perform at this major conference, which is the largest annual gathering of the global jazz community.
BCC’s vocal jazz ensemble, Celebration!, is one of only four college vocal groups invited to appear, and BCC’s Monday Night Jazz Band is one of only nine college jazz bands invited. Other colleges selected to perform include some of the nation’s leading jazz schools, such as Juilliard School of Music, Berklee College of Music, New York University and University of North Texas.
BCC is the only school with both a choir and a band on the conference performance schedule.
More than 7,000 educators, musicians, industry executives, exhibitors, media and students from 35 countries are expected to attend the conference, including some of the world’s top professional and amateur jazz artists. The conference ran from Jan. 11 – 14, with the Monday Night Jazz Band performing on Jan. 13, and Celebration! performing on Jan. 14.
Celebration!, made up of 22 BCC students (18 vocalists and four instrumentalists), is directed by Tom Almli. The Monday Night Jazz Band, comprising 16 adult musicians from the community, under the direction of Hal Sherman, is part of BCC’s Continuing Education program.
Pierce College dental hygiene program offers help to patients with gum disease
The dental hygiene program at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom offers treatment for adult patients who haven’t had their teeth cleaned in several years, and who may have periodontal disease.
Second-year students in the associate in dental hygiene program offer gentle, quality cleaning, X-rays, and other care at fees dramatically lower than those of other dental care providers, according to Sharon Golightly, the program’s director.
Potential patients who contact the program are given a free screening appointment to determine their suitability for treatment. Once accepted for treatment, patients will have their teeth cleaned and may receive other appropriate services such as X-rays, fluoride treatments or small fillings on selected patients. Patients with sensitive teeth and/or gums may be given a local anesthetic.
Golightly emphasizes the importance of dental health in maintaining overall well being, pointing to recent studies that have found a connection between periodontal inflammation and heart disease. “The cleaner the mouth, the healthier the person,” she said.
The program works with area dentists and clinics to make referrals for further treatment, and X-rays can be sent with the patient. Dental insurance and Medicaid coupons are accepted. For additional information about the associate in dental hygiene program, visit www.pierce.ctc.edu/Denthyg.
Skagit Valley College nursing student invited to international scholar program in South Africa
Skagit Valley College Mount Vernon Campus second-year nursing student Jaymee Weide, of Sedro-Woolley, has been invited to attend The International Scholar Laureate Program in South Africa in June 2006. In order to qualify for the scholar program, Weide received an invitation from the National Dean’s List to apply.
The 17-day trip, entitled Delegation on Nursing, will provide Weide with the opportunity to attend nursing classes and have multiple clinical experiences in three African towns. Care will be focused on a number of areas including HIV/AIDS, social services, hospital work, traditional healing arts, as well as rural health care in Africa. In addition, she will visit public and private hospitals and spend four days in the bush on a safari-style excursion.
Weide must raise the $5,000 that she will need to participate in this unique educational program by the end of February.
SCC program to serve as pilot site for virtual health information technology lab
Spokane Community College’s health information technology (HIT) program has been selected by the American Health Information Management Association to serve as a pilot site for an e-HIM® Virtual Laboratory. The lab will provide students and instructors with access to some 11 different health information management software programs.
SCC is one of 40 schools nationwide chosen as a pilot site, says Carol Riesenberg, SCC dean of instruction for health and environmental sciences. HIT instructor Melanie Endicott was instrumental in bringing the virtual lab to SCC, she added.
Starting winter quarter, students will get hands-on experience using many state-of-the-art software applications, each preparing them for transition to the world of electronic health records systems. Applications include a master patient index, electronic document management system, electronic patient chart tracking and patient registration/ admission/discharge/transfer system.
The virtual lab will be piloted through August 2006, then rolled out on a pay-for-service basis.
TCC student receives national scholarship
Tacoma Community College student JoAnne Thaves, of Parkland, is one of five students nationwide to receive a $1,000 scholarship from the National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs (NACCTEP) for the 2005-06 academic year.
Thaves learned of the NACCTEP scholarship through TCC’s Teachers of Tomorrow Club. She was chosen based on her financial need, her interest in teaching and her long-term goals.
“I was overwhelmed when I found out I’d been selected,” Thaves said. “It’s not just about the money; it’s about being one of give in the nation.”
Upon graduating from TCC this spring, Thaves, who worked in child care for more than 20 years, plans to transfer to Pacific Lutheran University and earn a bachelor’s degree in special education with a life sciences minor. She intends to teach middle school for a while and then return to school for her master’s degree. Her goal is to advocate for special needs children.
Thaves is president of TCC’s Teachers of Tomorrow Club, vice president of service for TCC’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society chapter, a tutor and a student senator. She has also attended a Student Washington Education Association leadership conference.
The NACCTEP Scholarship Program provides financial support to students studying to become teachers and attending NACCTEP member institutions. Thaves will attend NACCTEP’s fourth annual conference March 17-19 in Atlanta, Ga., where scholarship recipients will be acknowledged.
New programs offered by Cascadia Community College
Cascadia Community College announced an expansion of programs in office skills and office technology that will create a full range of courses from entry-level through a full associate degree. Two new programs will combine seamlessly with existing offerings in office technology at the college. The State Board of Community and Technical Colleges has approved Cascadia’s certificate in Office Skills Integrated with ESL and an Associate Degree in Administrative Office Management.
The new certificate program uniquely serves office workers who are learning English as a second language. The blend of technology and ESL will help students achieve entry-level skills in office technology while enhancing their English skills. Cascadia Community College is currently one of only two approved programs in the state that integrate job training with higher level ESL skills in a new model.
Cascadia currently offers a Computer Applications Specialist certificate, which provides additional opportunity to graduates of the new certificate as well as to anyone looking for grounding in the technology of today’s office environment. The new Associate Degree (AAS-T) program completes the progression by preparing current office workers in advanced office technology training and other critical skills.
The three programs together will create a training progression that parallels the career path in office occupations. Students wishing to enter the office technology field will find beginning level technology courses. Those who already have some skills in the field, or those who are working, will be able to find coursework that builds on their experience and knowledge. The option of completing a degree provides an additional level of recognition in the workplace.
Because many of the students in these classes will be working, the courses will be offered at flexible times and during the evening. Each program includes some self-paced labs. Distance learning (via the Internet) will help make it possible to work part or full time and pursue the degree at Cascadia.
Do you have an item for the next "All in the Family?" Email the Creating Opportunities staff at: ezine@sbctc.ctc.edu