Transitions to College program prepares adults for higher education
By Maya Douglas | Observer Contributor
The Transitions to College program is a grant funded program which supports non-traidtional students to ease their way into the college lifestyle.
The program is led by Kim Kayser, program advisor and coordinator. Kayser’s goal for the program is to be able to accept more students in the future, since the program has a limited number of slots and there is a waiting list. Her role is to help students prepare and complete the accuplacer test, complete the application process, and help students determine a study program.
Kayser works closely with the students in the program and helps them transition into campus life. “The relationship between advisor and student is a crucial part of the Transitions experience, and is part of the reason why my students to so well,” Kayser commented.
Kayser has worked closely enough with her students to know their work schedules, lifestyles, academic goals, as well as personal aspirations.
Forming a personal relationship with an advisor, Kayser argued, is beneficial to students and is a major factor in student’s success. Another goal is for her students to graduate or obtain a college certificate, but more importantly, that students try their best.
The Transitions program is one of fifteen transition programs in Massachusetts. Kayser said the campus considers itself lucky to have this program, and in addition to funding from the Department of Education, the college donates to the program so that it may thrive.
The two semester program assists those who come from DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) or ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) programs to ease their transition back into school. The cost of the program is fully covered. From tuition to books, Transitions pays for every penny of the student’s education. During this semester alone, Kayser noted, the program retained 32 students, of which 80% earned a GED or HiSet through a partner agency or ESOL program.
Kayser is in charge of budget management and program recruitment. MyTurn, an agency in Fitchburg which aids homeless young adults and teen moms, is one of the partner programs used to recruit students. She also does outreach work in local prison programs in an effort to help rehabilitate ex-criminals by bringing them into her program.
Kayser is studying for her Masters in education leadership. Her hope is that, with her degree, she will have more influence over decisions affecting her program.
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