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Adult Re-entry Mentoring Program - Glendale Community College |
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Program Components: Career counseling/exploration Role models/mentors Life skills Financial support
Adult Re-entry Mentoring Program College: Glendale Community College 1500 North Verdugo Road Glendale, CA 91208 College Contact: Glady Kabateck818-240-1000 x. 5448, 818-240-1345 Target population: Adult re-entry students who are from under-represented populations:displaced homemakers, single parents, those in transition, nontraditional vocational students, students wishing to continue or complete their AA, AS, or transfer to a university, college or vocational school. Goals: The goals of this program are multi-faceted but increased retention and studentsuccess are the primary aims. Description: The program, which began in 1988, consists of a plethora of activities allaimed at meeting the varied and individual needs of each student at Glendale Community College. The staff and Director provide services for between 30 and 40 students each semester. The services they provide include: · Campus tours· Counselingo Careero Personalo Vocational ando Student Educational Plans· Computer skill enhancement opportunities· Group meetings and counseling addressing issues such aso Self-esteemo Reentry student barriers· Presentations and workshops on topics includingo Personal financeso Student successo Self-esteemo Assertiveness trainingo Time managemento Career planningo Job search strategies· Assessments, interest inventories, and career planning· Educational opportunity information (e.g. certificate, AA, and transfer)119 · Scholarshipso Mentoring scholarship – Once students have completed 12 units they areeligible for this scholarship o Transferring scholarship ando Continuing Education scholarshipThe staff and Director use a variety of methods to reach the students including having program alumni return to talk to and mentor the current program participants. They find that the bond that the students and re-entry student-alumni mentors create is one of the most important factors in student success. At Glendale CCD, almost 1/3 of the 15,000 students are over the age of thirty-three. This make the work the program does with reentry students particularly valuable. Often the students are unsure if they can make it, if college will work for them, and what problems they will encounter. The program attempts to preempt major problem and introduce students to the college so they do not get lost and so that the students are able to meet their goals and become successful in school and work. Staffing: The program consists of a Director and Administrative Assistant. They work inconjunction with the support of the general college counselors and staff. Facilities, equipment, materials: The program has no special equipment and operates ina small center with meetings etc. held in the president’s conference room. The center is situated close to other student services and a computer lab is directly upstairs, affording the ability to walk with a student to the computer lab or to additional services. Costs, funding source: The funding has been cut from year to year. However, thesalaries are paid out of the general school fund, and the Associated Student Body provides approximately $600.00 annually for books and financial aid to students. In emergencies, Student Services provides funds as needed. Outreach and marketing: The outreach and marketing is an on-going activity. Staff aretireless advocates for their students. The Director makes presentations on the program at available opportunities including: · Community events,· City council meetings,· Business and professional women’s groups,· Community organizations in Glendale and near by communities.Additionally, the Director communicates via classroom presentations and faculty communication systems such as emails and written correspondence. Evidence of effectiveness: While there is no formal measure of effectiveness, the largenumber of students serving as alumni-mentors provides ample evidence of success. In addition the center regularly receives appreciative letters, phone calls, and visits from alumni. Suggestions for replication: In starting a new program, it would be necessary to get theword out via newspapers, radio, outreach, word-of-mouth, campus newspapers and flyers as well as to gain the support of the board of trustees, administration and college president. Los Angeles/Orange (7/8)
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