Non-Traditional
Students Get Chance To Receive Ivy League Education
pubished
in the Boston Metro, August 17, 2004
The
Urban College of Boston (UCB) continues to move full speed
ahead to expand educational partnerships.
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.
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.
|
