FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

YOUNG ADULTS BEING RECRUITED

FOR DCC MIDDLE COLLEGE PROGRAM

The Middle College is Danville Community College's newest initiative. Cheryl B. Terry, who serves as Coordinator of the program, left, and Ann Crawley, Administrative Assistant, right, are actively recruiting for the first class of participants. To be eligible, ndividuals must be between 18 and 24 years of age, and lack a high school diploma or GED.

          DANVILLE, VA, October 7, 2004 – If you are aged 18 to 24 years old, and do not have a high school

 diploma or GED, then Danville Community College has a program for you! Called “Middle College”, this new initiative will assist young adults in obtaining a General Education Development certificate and provide academic and career readiness training on the college campus.

          Halifax County native Cheryl B. Terry has been hired to coordinate the program which began last month. Terry says she is in the final stages of recruiting the first class of participants and encourages those interested to contact her.

           “With all of the GED preparation resources in this area, there are still a great number of local residents who slip through the cracks and never make it to job training because they are lacking a high school diploma or GED,” Terry says. “Our goal is to help individuals further their educational backgrounds and prepare them to be successful in the workplace.”

          Terry explains that there are eight different components to the Middle College program. These include:

• GED Certificate

• Career Exploration and Development

• Workforce Readiness Certificate

• Leadership Development

• Educational and/or Training Opportunities

• Community Involvement

• JAG – Jobs for America’s Graduates

• Employment and/or Expected Outcome

        In addition, Terry notes that mastery of these eight components will lead to steps to success. Each participants enrolled will:

• Complete an 8-week GED preparation class

• Complete a preparation for employment class

• Successfully master the Jobs For America’s Graduates (JAG) competencies

• Complete the Financial Aid process

• Obtain a Workforce Certificate

• Participate in Career Counseling

• Select a desired program of study at DCC

• Receive a Certificate, Diploma, or Associate Degree in a program of study at DCC

“DCC is one of five Virginia community colleges with the program,” Terry says. “The idea is for each Middle College student to change the way they think about themselves—from the very start of the program—overturning the idea that college is beyond their reach.”

Terry has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from DeVry University in Irving, Texas.  She received her master’s degree in Electronic Commerce from The University of Dallas.    Since returning to the area two years ago, Terry has been very involved in adult literacy, working with the Adult Literacy program in Halifax County, and tutoring at Halifax County High School.   She is also an adjunct faculty member of Southside Virginia Community College.

Other office personnel include Ann Crawley, Administrative Assistant, and a yet to be hire GED instructor. Crawley previously worked as an administrative assistant with the DCC Apprenticeship Program. She has an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Administrative Support Technology- Legal Specialization from DCC. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree from Averett University.  The GED Instructor is expected to be hired later this month.

For more information about DCC Middle College, contact the office at (434) 797-8564; toll free at 800-560-4291, ext. 8564; or click here.