Urban
College Connects Students To Jobs, Educational Opportunities
pubished
in the Boston Banner, August 12, 2004
The
Urban College of Boston continues to move full speed ahead
to expand educational partnerships with a variety of area
universities and colleges, making it easier for its non-traditional
students to improve their lives through education.
Throughout
its 11-year history, UCB has remained true to its mission
of connecting working adult learners, many of whom are single
mothers, immigrants and former welfare recipients, to jobs
and educational opportunities giving them a boost up as
they climb towards success in today’s competitive
workforce.
With
the help of Action for Boston Community Development Board
Vice Chair Ruth Robinson, the College has once again reached
out “across the river” to attract a new partner
in education, the prestigious Harvard University Extension
School (Harvard Extension), where Urban College graduates
Angela Gonzalez and Lesly Ovilma will matriculate into the
bachelors in Liberal Arts Program this fall.
“It’s
a once in a lifetime opportunity and I would like to see
as many UCB students have the same opportunity,” said
Robinson, who graduated from Harvard Extension in 1967 and
was the catalyst in sealing the deal between the two institutions.
The
partnership represents much more than another expansion
of access to quality education. It will offer UCB students
who complete an associates degree with a natural transition
into evening classes, student services, small classes tutoring,
writing workshops and one-on-one advising so that they are
more likely to succeed at the rigors of academic work.
Phi
Theta Kappa (PTK), the honor society for two-year institutions
offers scholarships to honor students like Gonzalez and
Ovilma, making it possible for them to earn a bachelors
degree in less time. The PTK Scholarship will be applied
towards the first three classes taken including a mandatory
expository writing course to ensure the writing success
for all incoming students at Harvard extension.
As
Gonzalez pointed out, “The program at Harvard Extension
is for working adults who have the responsibilities of balancing
family, work and school and is very similar to the supportive
environment at UCB .” Gonzalez is married with three
children and wants to continue to pursue a career in Social
Work.
Initially
Ovilma, who is a 35-year old native of Haiti, was hesitant
about applying to Harvard Extension, but with encouragement
from Robinson and UCB Administrators including Academic
Dean Dr. Sheila Taylor-King, he is already interested continuing
at Harvard to earn a Masters degree and possibly a Doctorate.
He reflected, “like at UCB, I can go to school at
night while working during the day so that I can continue
to help support my family in Haiti.”
“We
are excited that Harvard Extension School Supports our vision
and commitment to provide Urban College students with access
to the best higher education possible while meeting the
demands of their unique lifestyle,” remarked Dr. Linda
Edmonds Turner, President of UCB.
The
Urban College of Boston is a private, two-year college,
offering fully accredited Associate of Arts degrees n Early
Childhood Education, General Studies and Human Services
Administration, as well as certificates in these and a variety
o other career—focused programs. Urban College of
Boston is gearing up for its fall 2004 classes at 178 Tremont
Street in downtown Boston. Registration for returning students
will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 7 and
8 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and for new students Thursday,
September 8 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Late registration
is on Friday, September 10 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Classes
begin on Monday, September 13. For more information please
call UCB at (617) 348-6359 or visit www.urbancollege.edu.
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