College: Grossmont Community College
Contact:
Nancy Davis, Student Support Services Supervisor
619-644-7615 or
Nancy.Davis@gcccd.edu
Target Population:
All adult learners facing barriers to education or training (adult
learner is defined as 25 or older)
Goals:
To provide a place for adult reentry learners to get support, feel
accepted, and receive the services they need to be successful.
Description:
The Adult Reentry Program is designed to be flexible and respond to
the needs of the current students. Each semester starts with two
orientations, one in the morning and one in the evening to allow as
many to attend as possible. The orientations consist of panels,
general information, and peer support.
After the orientation, each adult reentry student participates in a
one-on-one intake interview in which their specific needs are
assessed and addressed. They are also given a tour of the campus,
shown their classrooms, and introduced to teachers. Once the
semester in underway, the Reentry staff, hosts a series of Coffee
Klatches and workshops that address topics ranging from math anxiety
to time management.
Other topics include: Dealing with computer fear, Internet research
methods, School Balance, Speaking and Interpersonal skills (Toast
Masters comes in for this workshop), Success after 40, Generational
and cultural issues in college and the workplace, Dealing with
divorce, Resiliency in a world of nonstop change, Project Success,
which teaches learning disabled students reading, speaking, and
writing skills needed to get and keep a job, Soft skills needed for
work, Money management, Career assessment, and Labor Market
Information. In addition, the adult reentry staff hosts a Career
Fair with over 600 companies and businesses invited from Los Vegas
to Southern California.
The Adult Reentry Center also has an Advisory Committee that
includes members from the business involved in the career fair,
students, teachers and staff from campus, as well as community
leaders and members.
Staffing:
The Adult Reentry Center is staffed by one full time coordinator and
one part time assistant. Additional staffing would allow for more
comprehensive services to be offered. A designated counselor is
needed.
Facilities, equipment, materials:
The Adult Reentry Center is housed in a small room in the career
center. Larger facilities and a place for the students to meet as
needed.
Costs, funding source:
The funds for the Adult Reentry Center are not specified for the
center but are part of a larger budget for the career center.
Outreach and Marketing:
Outreach and marketing is done in the community, on campus, and in
classrooms, with flyers, mailings, and posters.
Evidence of effectiveness:
Currently no evidence of effectiveness is being tracked.
Suggestions for replication:
The Adult Reentry Center should be separate from other career
centers, counseling, etc. Adult learners frequently don’t want to go
to the counseling centers, they need a specific counselor and the
program needs a full time assistant.