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CCRI hosts graduation ceremony
for adult education partner RIRAL

Jan. 12, 2012

The Community College of Rhode Island works with many organizations that serve special populations of students, ensuring that people of all skill levels eventually can attend college. One is Rhode Island Regional Adult Learning, which recently held a graduation ceremony for its Transition to College program at CCRI’s Liston Campus in Providence.

The adult students in this program, many of whom are not native English speakers, receive intensive instruction in writing and math as well as mentoring, academic guidance and career counseling. The organization is partnered with CCRI, and students take one course at the Liston Campus, with most graduates going on to attend the community college.

“Our goal is to simulate what college would be like for them,” said Gylean Trabucchi, the mentor coordinator for Transition to College.

Thirteen graduates received certificates at the graduation ceremony to celebrate their receipt of a GED. CCRI Associate Vice President for Student Services Ron Schertz delivered the keynote address, in which he urged the graduates to set a new goal for themselves and never stop learning.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of your accomplishment, and I wish I had your fortitude,” he said.

Students in the program took classes three nights a week for 16 weeks starting in August. Trabucchi said that many managed this schedule around work and family obligations. The program is free to those who are accepted as long as students pledge to pursue higher education.

“One of our goals is to have each student complete an application and all financial aid material for a post-secondary school,” Trabucchi said.

Graduates of the program still have access to mentoring during their first semester in college to help ensure a smooth transition and future academic success. Many of the graduates are enrolled at CCRI and ready to begin classes later this month.

“This is my second try at college and, hopefully, as an example to my children, I will complete it,” said student Antoinette Aruwajoye.

Christine Wannenmacher, who won a special award for the work she did on her career portfolio during her semester with Transition to College, said she learned about the program after taking a course in English for speakers of other languages. Her instructor encouraged her to enroll.

“It was a great and a very helpful experience,” Wannenmacher said. “I’m looking forward to continuing [my education] and I’m grateful I got this chance.” She will attend the CCRI Knight Campus this spring.

Rhode Island Regional Adult Learning is one of five community organizations partnered with CCRI’s Center for Workforce and Community Education, which together make up the Transitions to College initiative. The others are: Aquidneck Island Adult Learning Center, Dorcas Place, Education Exchange, and Westbay Community Action Program.

CCRI has its own program – GED to College and Careers – that gives students a high school credential and puts them on the path to higher education.

“Each one attracts different people who may be interested in a particular program location, course schedule or intensity,” said Sharon Miles, director of Adult Education and Literacy Services for CWCE. “The students base their selection on what their needs are.”

CCRI instructors teach courses for each of these programs, whether at one of the college’s campuses or on site at the individual programs. CCRI’s program offers developmental language arts and math courses.

The college recently was awarded a grant from the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, to support CCRI’s College Now program. It will provide scholarship money to offer a dual enrollment option to students in the college’s GED to College and Careers program, giving them a head start on their college degree. These classes will be offered in Providence and in Lincoln.

“All of the programs are getting people ready with college skills to successfully persist in their education,” Miles said.

Learn more about CWCE’s Adult Basic Education and Literacy Services programs.

 

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