Transitions to College Program Helps Nontraditional Students Achieve Their Goals
By Maya Douglas | Observer Contributor
The Transitions to College program is a grant-funded program which supports non-traditional 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 Transitions 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.
She also hopes to remain the counselor for her students even after they graduate out of her program.Kayser said that her foal is for her students to graduate or obtain a college certificate, but more importantly, for students to try their best. She notes that many students would never attend college withouut the opportunity to participate in this free, supporting program.
“The relationship between advisor and student is a crucial part of the Transitions experience and is part of the reason why my students do so well,” Kayser commented.
By the end of the two semesters, Kayser has worked closely enough wit her students to know their work schedules, lifestyles, and academic goals, as well as their personal aspirations as individuals. Forming a personal relationship with an advisor, Kayser asserts, is beneficial to students and is a major factor in student success.
Kayser said that her goal is for her students to graduate or obtain a college certificate, but more importantly, for students to try their best. She notes that many students would never attend college without the opportunity to participate in this free, supporting program.
The Mount Wachusett Community College Transitions program is one of fifteen transition programs in the state of Massachusetts. Kayser said the campus considers itself lucky to have this program here, and in addition to funding from the Department of Education, the college gives very generous donations to the program so that it may thrive.
Kayser took over the Transitions program eight years ago. She says her main job is to work closely with the students in her program and help them acclimate into campus life. As advisor, her role also includes helping students prepare and complete the Accuplacer test, guiding them through the application process, and helping students determine a program of study.
Kayser is also 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 said that this semester, the program kept a total of 32 students.
Before being accepted into the Transitions program, students must attend classes through the Adult Basic Education (ABE) program and earn their GED or HiSet.
Advisor to the program Julie Sallet said that the best part of her job is helping students see their own potential. She is a career development counselor specialized in adult education and training, and said she enjoys working one on one with students.
Sallet said students in the ABE program learn at their own pace. Their time in the program varies depending on each student. Some only spend two months, while some are in the program for up to six months. Sallet said students in the program vary in age from sixteen to fifty. She believes that it is never too late to finish school. Sallet works closely with her students on not only their academic goals, but their personal goals as well, such as getting a job or an apartment. The primary struggles of her students concern self-confidence, time management, or childcare and transportation.
“I do believe in our mission,” Sallet said. “It’s important to help people in our region enter into post education or move into jobs for a self-sustainable income.”
Sallet said she hopes to see the enrollment rate continue to grow, and that at least 75% of students in the ABE program move onto Transitions to work with Kim Kayser.
“It’s truly rewarding to watch others achieve their goals and know you had a part in that,” she said.
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