Submitted by rashton on Fri, 05/20/2011 - 1:58pm
CONTINUING EDUCATION CELEBRATES COMMENCEMENT
FOR 900+ ADULT STUDENTS
SAN DIEGO – San Diego Continuing Education (CE) will honor 930 graduates during Commencement at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park on Wednesday, June 1 at 5 p.m. The ceremony is in collaboration with the San Diego Unified School District Adult High School Diploma Program. The graduates are nontraditional, coming from a variety of backgrounds. Many have overcome very challenging life situations and chosen to reenter the classroom to complete their High School Diploma or a GED. Others have completed specific job training skills in one of 35 Continuing Education certificate programs and are now eager to get to work.
Awards include 190 GEDs, 168 High School Diplomas, and 572 certificates of completion for career technical education programs (e.g. for nursing assistants and automotive technicians). Ninety seven (97) students looking to enroll in college as a next step will benefit from 104 scholarship awards totaling more than $23,000. Approximately 500 graduates are expected to participate in the ceremony.
Continuing Education students have an advantage over others,” said Dr. Anthony Beebe, President of Continuing Education. “When students enroll in Continuing Education, even for a few classes before applying for college, data show they are more successful than those who do not. This is the Continuing Education Advantage!”
As the adult education division of the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD), Continuing Education serves 90,000+ students each year from six main campuses around San Diego. Beginning in fall 2011, eligible Continuing Education students will be given priority registration to City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges. “Priority registration is a great incentive for our students who are looking to transfer,” said Dr. Brian Ellison, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services at Continuing Education. “During a time when the state budget crisis is impacting enrollments at every community college in the state, having priority registration is an important advantage.”
As reported in the Economic Impact on Region report prepared by Economic Modeling Specialists, SDCCD plays a significant role in the local economy and is a sound investment from multiple perspectives. Students benefit from improved lifestyles and increased earnings. Taxpayers benefit from a larger economy and lower social costs. Finally, the community as a whole benefits from increased job and investment opportunities, higher business revenues, greater availability of public funds, and an eased tax burden.
STUDENTS WITH THE CONTINUING EDUCATION ADVANTAGE
Benhur Tsegay, age 34
Political asylee from Eritrea, Africa
Benhur Tsegay is not new to higher education. Growing up in Eritrea, Africa, Benhur completed high school and also earned an Associate degree in Business Management from Asmara Commercial College. However, his hope to continue his education at the university level was put on-hold as he was forced to flee his country in 2004 due to his Christian religion.
Benhur fled to find a place where he could live peacefully and safely. A six-year journey, and 14 countries later, Benhur arrived to the US, where at age 33, he was finally able to return to the classroom at Continuing Education.
His English is very good because his education in Eritrea was in English, plus his parents and family are English-speakers. Benhur’s assessment for English placed him in a high-level English as a Second Language (ESL) class. After successful completion of several ESL classes, Benhur passed the GED exam and is currently enrolled in a class that focuses on transition to college, where he is realizing the Continuing Education Advantage.
“I have the CE advantage over other students because the classes are teaching me how to think critically. For example, I’m learning how to contextualize what I’m reading into the world around me. I’m also learning the differences between a well-written paragraph and a well-written essay. The ways the instructors teach are preparing me for college in the US.”
Benhur is a 2011 Continuing Education scholarship recipient and plans to take additional English classes at Mesa College, and enroll in City College for healthcare classes. His long-term goal is to become a medical doctor.
Maria Whitehead, age 23
Single mother (children ages 2.5 years and 2 months)
After completing 9th grade at Montgomery High School, Maria Whitehead dropped out at age 14 because she lacked confidence in her academic ability. The next several years of her life included the birth of her first child, homelessness, and failed attempts at education.
In 2010, while living in a homeless shelter with her baby daughter, Maria made the decision to meet with CalWORKS Intake Coordinators at Continuing Education to determine an educational plan. She found the human and financial support she needed to work on skills to complete her GED, and scored well on initial assessment tests for basic skills.
Her persistence resulted in successful completion of a GED, and subsequent enrollment at City College where she is studying as a paralegal. Her long-term educational goals include transfer to a four-year university to study criminal justice. Maria’s success is possible because she overcame obstacles, set goals, and made use of available resources. She wants her children to know “No matter what you’ve gone through, you can go back and fix it.”
Robert Smith
Stroke victim obtained GED after five years of persistence
Robert Smith was not your average high school student. He suffered a stroke at the age of eight, causing him difficulties he would have for the rest of his life, including seizures and slowed development. His adolescence was fraught with bouts of anger and depression, and completing high school created a serious obstacle for him. In 2006 Robert began taking classes at Continuing Education and after nearly five years, he has completed his GED and will graduate in June. He plans to attend Mesa College in the fall and/or begin a demolition business. Robert’s success is due to his persistence, and to the counseling and encouragement he received from Continuing Education.
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San Diego Continuing Education is the adult education division of the San Diego Community College District. SDCE was one of the first continuing education institutions in California to meet the standards for independent accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. More than 90,000 students are served per academic year at six main campuses in San Diego. Noncredit classes are available at no cost, including online options.
Certificate programs are offered for numerous industries including: Automotive Technician, Child Development, Culinary, Nursing Assistant training, Professional Bakeshop Skills and Web Specialist. Classes are free because San Diego Continuing Education is part of the California system of higher education. Funding also comes through business and industry partnerships. Learn more at www.sdce.edu.